The Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV officially welcomed its eighth cohort with an array of activities last week. All 66 students were sorted into their learning communities – cohort groups that were first established in July 2023 – and participated in activities meant to strengthen their newly formed bonds.

Family, friends, and partners of the students were able to gain valuable insight through the parents and partners event. Participants were given a preview of their student’s medical school journey through tours and demonstrations around the medical education building (MEB). Panels on student wellness and how to help students succeed were also available.

To wrap up orientation week, students – joined by their loved ones – were celebrated in the welcome ceremony. Multiple speakers were featured including dean Marc J. Kahn; UNLV President Keith E. Whitfield; Dr. Robert Hernandez Jr., vice dean for academic affairs and education; and Madelyn Colbert, class of 2027 medical student and learning community liaison.

Having been with the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine since 2015, Cindy Stella – the assistant dean for admissions – not only participates in the admissions process, but has had the opportunity to welcome each of the school of medicine’s cohorts on their first day.

“It’s always exciting to bring in a new cohort,” says Stella. “This class brings such rich educational backgrounds and experiences, with many [43 students] Nevada high school graduates returning to the state to study medicine with us.”

Along with this, there are 31 students who graduated from Nevada universities – 19 being UNLV alumni and 12 being University of Nevada, Reno alumni. Twenty percent of the class are first-generation college students.

When it comes to academics, the class has an average GPA of 3.75 and a BCPM (Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math) GPA of 3.69. The average Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score is 510.

The class of 2028, as Stella states, also has “our highest number of military HPSP [Health Professions Scholarship Program] scholarship recipients in our history with six confirmed and one more awaiting approval."

During a recent Dean’s Forum – an internal monthly forum for the school of medicine and UNLV Health – Dr. Hernandez described the class of 2028’s representation as being “higher than the national average” representation for underrepresented groups and economically disadvantaged groups. Twenty percent of the class of 2028 are from ethnic groups that are typically underrepresented in medicine, while 38 percent come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

A few members of the class were interviewed during their orientation week, and they spoke about their main reasons for choosing the school of medicine as their first step in their medical careers. One member of the class, Autena Asefirad, says, “I chose the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine because, being in Vegas, you serve a very unique population and a diverse population of people. So being able to be a part of that and serve this community is really special.”

Several other students shared similar sentiments about wanting to serve the Las Vegas community - which is central to the school’s mission.