DETROIT – The Michigan Area Health Education Center, Wayne State University School of Medicine, and Detroit Public Schools have teamed up to offer high school students a chance to learn about medical careers this summer. The Detroit Pre-Medical Scholars Program, which will run from Monday, July 15 through Friday, August 23, 2013, seeks to broaden students’ understanding of careers in medicine, increase the number of students pursuing careers as physicians, and help students prepare to study on a collegiate level.
The Michigan Area Health Education Center (MI-AHEC), a program of Wayne State University that seeks to improve access to primary care in underserved communities, is collaborating with the School of Medicine to help administer the Detroit Pre-Medical Scholars Program.
“The Detroit Pre-Medical Scholars Program is an initiative aligned with our goal to educate youth about and prepare them for opportunities in the growing health care industry,” said Linda Tarjeft, associate program director of MI-AHEC. “Because our efforts are focused on helping address the shortage of health care workers in Michigan, this program is a great fit for us. We are excited about working with the Wayne State University School of Medicine and the Detroit Public Schools to increase the numbers of primary care workers in our state. We appreciate the Grace Guild of Sinai-Grace Hospital, the Detroit Public Schools Foundation, and Sodexo for providing the support that makes this program possible.”
During the six-week program, selected students will work in hospitals or health care centers, including DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital, Henry Ford Hospital, Mercy Primary Care Center, Children’s Hospital, the University Health Center Rosa Parks Clinic at Wayne State University, and Detroit Community Health Connection. Students will attend weekly seminars at the WSU School of Medicine focused on helping them explore various physician specialty areas, examine trends and issues in healthcare, learn and practice professional behavior standards, and interact with successful professionals who will serve as role models.
“The Wayne State University School of Medicine is proud of our partnership with MI-AHEC and the Detroit Public Schools,” said Dr. De’Andrea Wiggins, director of diversity and inclusion for the WSU School of Medicine. “We are excited about providing students with access to the information, tools, and resources they need to succeed and giving them opportunities to shadow, work with, and learn from health care professionals. We hope the students selected will be inspired to work toward a career of service in the medical field as a result of their participation in this program.”
Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive a stipend, which is being provided by the Grace Guild of Sinai-Grace Hospital and the Detroit Public Schools Foundation through generous support from Sodexo, Inc.
“Exposing students to real world experiences in the STEM fields helps them understand why what they learn in the classroom is important and how to apply it. Being involved in initiatives like the Detroit Pre-Medical Scholars Program better equips them to make informed decisions about their career choices,” said Alycia Meriweather, Executive Director of the Office of Science with Detroit Public Schools. “We are thankful for partners such as Wayne State University and the Michigan Area Health Education Center that make these opportunities possible.”
The program is open to high school juniors enrolled in the Detroit Public Schools system. Applicants should demonstrate interest in becoming a physician and have an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better. Interested students must submit an application, two letters of recommendation, and an official transcript. More information about eligibility requirements and program guidelines is available at https://miahec.wayne.edu.
Applications must be received by Friday, May 24, 2013. Students can download an application or complete one online at https://miahec.wayne.edu.
For more information, contact MI-AHEC at (313) 577-5161 or miahec@wayne.edu.
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