The University of Louisville Medical Schoolʼs comprehensive programs to increase its percentage of underrepresented-minority students

Abstract

Since 1981, the University of Louisville (U of L) School of Medicine has developed several programs to increase the number of its underrepresented-minority (URM) matriculants and help them succeed during their medical education. The first such effort, begun in 1981, was the Professional Education Preparation Program for Kentucky high school students from underserved counties. Programs in Louisville's elementary and middle schools were initiated in 1996, and others continue through medical education and residency training. These existing supports for local URM students (most of whom are African Americans) were enhanced in 1996 by the Health Professions Partnership (HPP), a program sponsored by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Association of American Medical Colleges. With the HPP, the U of L intensified its focus on health careers preparation at the elementary and secondary education levels, and increased exchanges and collaboration between U of L health sciences faculty and teachers and students in the Jefferson Country Public Schools. Several funding sources have been used to maintain and develop the U of L's education pathway programs, including institutional, state, federal, and foundation funds. The authors describe the U of L's programs, focusing on the HPP, and state that as of 1998, the number of URM students enrolled in the U of L School of Medicine had reached almost 10% (up from 2-3% before 1993) and the graduation rate was 90%, (up from 76% before 1993). These increases are the result of many years of developing and implementing a continuum of preparation and retention programs.

Personality assessments and outcomes in medical education and the practice of medicine: AMEE Guide No. 79

“…A number of studies also confirm the role of ethnicity in medical school admissions and academic attainment (Rosenfeld et al 1992;Esmail et al 1995;McManus et al 1995;Ready 1995;Crump et al 1999;Tekian 1997;Girotti 1999;Hardy 1999;Lumb & Vail 2000;Giordani et al 2001;Ferguson et al 2002). These studies suggest that it is important to consider ethnic status as a possible confounding variable for a fair assessment of the predictive validity of personality measures in medical education.…”

Developing leadership interventions for Black and minority ethnic staff

“…In addition, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation have jointly funded the Health Professions Partnership Initiative program, which was developed from the Project 3000 by 2000 of the Association of American Medical Colleges (Crump et al, 1996;Carline and Patterson, 2003).…”

Constructing an Online MCAT Preparation Program as an Alternative to On-Site Preparation for Medical School

“…Our experience with an on-site summer program and knowledge of similar postbaccalaureate programs (Murray-Garcia & Garcia, 2002;Parrish, Daniels, Hester, & Colenda, 2008;McDougle, Way, & Yash, 2008;Blakely & Broussard, 2003;Giordani et al, 2001;Crump, Byrne, & Joshua, 1999;McGlinn, Jackson, & Bardo, 1999;Thomson, Ferry, King, Martinez-Wedig, & Michael, 2003;Lieberman et al, 2010) indicated that students would need didactic materials, a path through the 12 weeks of the program, encouragement to continue, feedback on their progress, and a sense of community.…”

“…For many years, United States federal and state funds have supported premedical enrichment programs to encourage minority and disadvantaged students to pursue medical careers. Traditional programs have embraced bringing the students to medical school campuses and exposing them to the medical school experience which includes, but is not limited to, meeting the faculty, experiencing medical courses, shadowing of a diverse realm of specialties, and admission advice (Murray-Garcia & Garcia, 2002;Parrish, Daniels, Hester, & Colenda, 2008;McDougle, Way, & Yash, 2008;Blakely & Broussard, 2003;Giordani et al, 2001;Crump, Byrne, & Joshua, 1999;McGlinn, Jackson, & Bardo, 1999;Thomson, Ferry, King, Martinez-Wedig, & Michael, 2003;Lieberman, et al, 2010). This may also be accompanied by intense academic preparation for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), a standardized test of academic preparation for medical school in the United States (McGaghie, 2002).…”