Eighty-three high school students from around the world took a significant step toward their dreams of becoming physicians through the Medical Minds Online Program (MMOP), a virtual summer initiative hosted by Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q).
Organised by the Office of Student Outreach and Educational Development, MMOP is part of WCM-Q’s broader Summer Enrichment Programs, designed to give academically driven pre-college students a meaningful introduction to medicine and the sciences.
Held over one week, the program blended live Zoom sessions and self-paced learning modules, offering students early exposure to real-world medical topics such as anatomy, forensic biology, medical ethics, surgery, and the WCM-Q admissions process.
Participants — 50 girls and 33 boys — represented 43 schools from Qatar and across nine other countries, including Algeria, Brazil, Canada, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, the UAE, and Oman. All students were entering grades 10 through 12, a critical period for career exploration and planning.
Led by WCM-Q’s medical educators, physicians, and student mentors, the program offered more than just academic content. Students engaged in reflective exercises to understand their personal motivations for entering the field, helping them start to shape a professional identity in medicine. They also gained hands-on experience using Canvas, a widely used learning management system, to simulate digital academic environments.
One key session titled “Building Your Professional Identity in Medicine” was facilitated by five current WCM-Q pre-medical students — Fatima Abdulla, Shaikha Al Ishaq, Nouf Alabdulmalik, Noof AlMalik, and Mohammed Ali Abdulla — who guided participants through self-reflective discussions on values, inspiration, and career goals.
Meanwhile, a student-led panel discussion by medical and pre-medical students covered essential topics such as personal statement writing, interview preparation, and student life at WCM-Q. The panel included Reem Al Janahi, Batoul Arabi, Fatima Al-Mohammed, Anns Mahboob, and Ola AboMoslim.
At the conclusion of the program, all participants received a certificate of completion, recognising their efforts and dedication to learning during the summer break.
Speaking about the initiative, Noha Saleh, director of premedical administration and student outreach, remarked:
“The MMOP gives students a real glimpse into medicine — not just the science, but the journey. It’s designed to help them make informed decisions and to inspire confidence about pursuing healthcare careers.”
Faisal Alazawi, a student from The Hamilton International School, shared:
“It was an eye-opener. I learned there’s no one path to becoming a doctor. The stories shared by the physicians were honest and inspiring. Being online made it accessible and flexible during the summer.”
Dr. Rachid Bendriss, associate dean of student outreach, noted:
“This program doesn’t just teach; it empowers. Students gained confidence, critical thinking skills, and a clear sense of purpose.”
With its growing international reach, the MMOP continues to serve as a launchpad for the next generation of medical professionals — proving that geography is no barrier to inspiration and knowledge.
