Earlier this month, the Stanford University Minority Medical Alliance (SUMMA) hosted one of the largest pre-medical conferences in the West. SUMMA's goal is to help underrepresented minority students prepare for careers in medicine. OSHU School of Medicine second-year medical students Marisol Toliver-Sokol and Elis Madrigal hosted an information table at the conference.
Marisol and Elis are the co-presidents of the OHSU/SOM chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA). While maintaining rigorous school schedules, SNMA members travel to conferences such as this one to let potential students know why they chose OHSU.
This year, SUMMA hosted 524 undergraduates and 101 high school students. Marisol says that such conferences provide a great space to dispel myths about medical school and fears about the process. Applicants were most interested in finding out about "a-day-in-the-life" of a medical student. They were curious about the admission process, about costs, and about GPA and MCAT requirements. The question of specific support for minority applicants also came up, including questions about scholarships and grants.
During the same weekend, the AAMC Western Region Group on Student Affairs-Minority Affairs Section (GSA-MAS) conducted a day and a half of sessions for minority affairs professionals in Palo Alto. The workshop was coordinated by OHSU faculty and staff, specifically, Ella Booth, PhD, Associate Dean for Diversity and Laurie Mecham, Executive Specialist in the SOM Dean's office, and by Leslie Garcia, MPA, Director of the OHSU Center for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs. The workshop was sponsored by the AAMC Division of Diversity Policy and Programs.
The goal was for program coordinators, student recruiters, administrative support staff and similar professionals from medical schools around the nation to advance their knowledge of diversity issues.
Workshop topics included: communication strategies; building relationships within and outside your institution; financial issues; career development; faculty diversity programs; and communication with medical students and staff. Based on evaluations from participants, the workshop was a huge success.
"Pairing the diversity workshop around a large recruitment fair provided participants the opportunity to attend the workshop without overly taxing their travel budget. We will look for a similar recruitment fair for next year," said Dr. Booth.
