LEWISTON – Students and members at the Bates College Health Sciences Society will welcome some of the area’s top female medical professionals for a panel discussion at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 1, at the Pettengill Hall Keck classroom on campus.

The society public relations director, Landon Kuester, a Bates freshman, has planned the panel in order to provide fellow classmates with a realistic perspective of practicing physicians.

“It’s a great way to integrate the community with Bates students and provide students with direct and personal interaction with medical professionals, which often doesn’t happen until medical school,” Kuester stated.

Attending the panel discussion will be Dr. Cynthia A. DeSoi, nephrologist; Dr. Trisha Gushue, family practice; Dr. Pamela J. Rietschel, general and vascular surgeon; and Dr. Susan Thomas, family practice.

Shannon M. Banks, vice president, medical affairs, Central Maine Medical Center, will moderate the panel.