For 25 years, MUlation - a student networking event - has given MU School of Medicine first- and second-year students the opportunity to interact and learn from physician mentors. Cynthia Hayes, MD ’99, MHA ’91, a family medicine physician at Cynergy Health in Columbia, Missouri, founded the event in 1999 alongside a group of her M4 classmates.
MUlation’s mission is to provide new medical students time away from their studies to speak with practicing physicians about medicine, lifestyle and practice choice.
Each year, first- and second-year MU medical students travel to an offsite venue to join roundtable discussions with physicians practicing in their areas of interest. Topics and conversations are led by the students, and physicians are encouraged to be open and honest with their answers. Both academic physicians and local private practice physicians attend the event annually.
Hayes and her spouse, Kevin Kane, MD, MSPH ’01, senior associate dean for medical education at the MU School of Medicine, created the MUlation Student Program Endowment Fund in 2021 to ensure the continued success and sustainability of the event.
“While training to become a physician, students of medicine are encouraged to emulate excellent physicians and that drove the idea to creating this event over two decades ago,” said Hayes. “MUlation is a student-led program that depends on the generosity of multiple MU Health Care departments. We established this endowment to augment the funds needed to continually produce this important event at a high level.”
At the most recent two MUlation events, more than 200 medical students and 140 physicians were in attendance. From the participating physicians, nearly 30 specialties and subspecialities were represented, allowing students to learn more about an array of practice choices.
Evadne Rodriguez, a fourth-year MU medical student, helped coordinate the event a year ago. She was ecstatic with the turnout and the medical community coming together for a great networking opportunity.
“I was excited to be involved in planning MUlation and believe in the purpose of providing students with the ability to meet faculty members and local physicians in a low-pressure environment,” said Rodriguez. “It is exciting that we have this rich tradition for students to continue to participate for more than 20 years since its founding. I have heard from my peers who have attended the event that they had a lot of fun, and that some interactions with physicians have turned into meaningful relationships down the road.”
Joining Rodriguez as a primary student organizer was third-year medical student Terrell Christian. He noted how MUlation’s theme each year ties into the overall mission, vision and values of the MU School of Medicine.
“Bringing together future physicians and experienced professionals in a setting that fosters mentorship and collaboration is not just about expanding our professional network, but it is about building a community that supports and inspires each other,” said Christian. “This event is a testament to the spirit of the School of Medicine, where students are empowered to shape their future and make lasting impacts in the medical field.”
