We Train the Next Generation of Diverse Health Care Providers
Diversity Pipelines
The Association of American Medical Colleges provides, as part of its accreditation requirements, that medical schools take steps to increase the diversity of its medical student population as a pipeline to increasing the diversity of the next generation of physicians. This includes providing opportunities for diverse K-12 and undergraduate students to be exposed to medicine as a career through summer enrichment and mentor programs. Penn State College of Medicine has established mechanisms to increase the diversity of its medical students and physician assistant students through early assurance agreements with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as well as enable undergraduate students at these partner schools to talk, virtually, with our physicians during the Talks with Docs series to learn about the “journey” into medicine including less known specialty areas.
Learn more about Pipeline Programs and the Talks With Docs series:
- Building a strong pipeline of diversity
- Underrepresented students find pipeline to Penn State College of Medicine
Network of Under-represented Residents and Fellows (NURF)
Penn State College of Medicine is also working to increase the diversity of its graduate student population and its residents. Recently, the college established the Network of Under-represented Residents and Fellows (NURF) to provide an opportunity for diverse residents and fellows to network and build a sense of community.
Diverse Student Champion Program
Penn State College of Medicine’s Office for Diversity, Equity and Belonging has launched the Diverse Student Champion Program, which pairs students considered Underrepresented in Medicine (UiM) with diverse mentors (“champions”). Through these pairings, the Champion Program provides an opportunity for students to learn from distinguished College of Medicine alumni and faculty members, as well as clinicians and researchers on our campus. Students will benefit from this supportive relationship by sharing successes and challenges unique to diverse learners in the medical community, strengthening their career networks and receiving guidance about their educational paths.
Students, faculty and alumni interested in participating in this program can reach out to diversity@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.