UI Carver College of Medicine Student Poetry Competition winners honored

The University of Iowa is often regarded as "The Writing University" because of its world-renowned Iowa Writers' Workshop, but an appreciation and commitment to great writing is evident across the entire UI campus-including the Carver College of Medicine.

The college's Writing and Humanities Program offers elective courses and activities that focus on the humanistic and creative aspects of medicine and medical education. The program also provides consultation and assistance to students preparing their written personal statements for residency interviews or developing research papers or abstracts.

The Writing and Humanities Program also oversees the Humanities Distinction Track, which is designed to encourage and support students interested in scholarship and learning opportunities in creative writing, philosophy, visual arts, social sciences, and related topics.

This fall, with the support of an anonymous donor's gift, the Carver College of Medicine held a poetry competition for students in the MD, PT (physical therapy), and PA (physician assistant) programs. Three of the competition's entrants were honored Oct. 17 at the college's annual scholarship luncheon. First-place ($400), second-place ($300), and third-place ($200) scholarship prizes were awarded and will be applied to the students' tuition, fees, or academic travel.