The Misericordia University American Medical Student Association is hosting a pre-medical conference, "Why Medicine?,'' on Saturday, March 22 in Sandy and Marlene Insalaco Hall.

Alex Wagner of Tamaqua, president-elect of the Misericordia Medical Student Association, is helping to organize the conference.The "Why Medicine?" Conference is being hosted by the Misericordia University Pre-Medicine Club. The forum is for high school and college students who are interested in a career in medicine.The keynote speaker is Karen A. Arscott, D.O.,

M.S.C., associate professor of clinical sciences at The Commonwealth Medical College, Scranton. Registration is in the lobby of InterMetzo Café from 9-9:15 a.m. The event is open free to the public.Guest lecturers will discuss the rigor of pre-medicine curriculum, the role of the physician assistant in the health care industry today, and what type of hands-on research are available at the undergraduate and graduate levels for students.Interested high school and college students can pre-register for the conference by contacting Rita Molino, administrative assistant, College of Arts and Sciences, at

rmolino@misericordia.edu at (570) 674-8184. The deadline to register is March 14.Other guest speakers include representatives from the Army Reserves, Kaplan Test Prep, The Commonwealth Medical College, Misericordia University students engaged in pre-medical research, and Misericordia University American Medical Student Association students. Campus tours will also be available.