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Resources

The information below provides students with resources to explore opportunities to build connections with others sharing the same or similar racial/ethnic identities. These connections can help develop students’ pre-professional journey with different groups of peers and professionals.

Organizations

The HPA team recognizes that Black and African American students have been historically underrepresented at Northwestern and throughout the health professions. The following information is intended to provide additional sources of support for students identifying as Black and African American who are pursuing careers in the health professions.

  • Professional & Support Organizations - Many health profession, professional organizations welcome undergraduate student members. Often, the professional membership fees are reduced for students—some may even be waived in certain circumstances. Joining such an organization will typically expose students to current issues, presentation/research opportunities, emerging trends in the health profession field. Membership can also present valuable opportunities to network with peers and professionals.
  • Registered Student Organizations (RSO) - Joining a Registered Student Organization or RSO is a wonderful way to meet like-minded individuals, make friends and build a pre-professional network. Membership in these organizations can also present opportunities to further develop your leadership and organizational skills, often supporting communities in and around Evanston and Chicago.
  • Alumni Resources - Health Professions Advising offers services to Northwestern undergraduate alumni. HPA advisors are here as a resource for you during your gap/bridge year planning, or career transition planning into a health profession. Services include pre-health advising, application advice, support with your personal statement and mock interview practice.

Insights

  • AAMC, Inspiring Stories: Kristian Black - As a first-generation college student and an African American male from the deep south, Kristian was inspired by the need for more diversity in medicine.
  • AAMC, Inspiring Stories: Brittani James - Both Brittani and her sister are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of diverse doctors.
  • Being Black in Medical School - In May, William Justice, MD Class of 2022, delivered a letter to Drexel University College of Medicine leadership. Cosigned by nearly 40 medical students, the letter provided insight to the often misunderstood plight of Black people. It also expressed his pain and anger as a Black man about the injustices experienced by Black people in America, most recently the killings of George Floyd and countless others by law enforcement.
  • We Need More Black Physicians - Without concerted action, existing racial imbalances in the health workforce will grow, potentially exacerbating health disparities in Black communities in the United State.
  • Increasing Diversity in Health Professions Improves Health Outcomes - The healthcare workforce in the US and its ability to deliver quality care for racial and ethnic minorities can be improved substantially by increasing the proportion of underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities among health professionals
  • The path to leadership as a Black dental student - Aierress Hanna wrties an inspirational story about being a Black leader in the American Student Dental Association and how the experience has been transformative, filled with opportunities and personal and professional growth. Aierress encourages all Black dental students to become involved in ASDA to share their voices, creativity and talents.
  • Black Men in White Coats, Documentary Series - Black Men In White Coats seeks to Increase The Number of Black Men In The Field of Medicine by exposure, inspiration, and mentoring. To accomplish this, we are partnering with various medical schools across the country to produce outstanding short documentary videos which bring awareness to this issue that not only affects the black male population, but also the nation as a whole.

Programs & Opportunities

  • Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) - SHPEP is a free summer enrichment program focused on improving access to information and resources for college students interested in the health professions. SHPEP’s goal is to strengthen the academic proficiency and career development of students underrepresented in the health professions and prepare them for a successful application and matriculation to health professions schools.
  • Sister-to-Sister Mentoring Program, Association of Black Women Physicians - The Sister-to-Sister Mentoring Program provides a guided mentorship program for black women physicians, physicians in training and pre-medical undergraduate students.
  • University of Michigan Future Public Health Leaders Program (Michigan FPHLP) - The Michigan FPHLP is a residential summer program funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Through field placements, skill building workshops and mentorship, Michigan FPHLP provides students with opportunities for growth, learning and awareness in the field of public health.
  • Public Health Leader Fellowship Program, Summer Program at Morehouse University - The CDC Public Health Leader Fellowship Program is a rigorous 10-week summer program designed to prepare underrepresented, culturally sensitive, undergraduate students for leadership roles in the field of public health. A principal aim of the program is reducing health disparities.
  • Public Policy and International Affairs Program (PPIA) - College juniors interested in public policy, including public health policy, should consider the PPIA Fellowship Program. The PPIA aims to help students prepare to pursue Masters' or joint degree, typically in public policy, public administration, international affairs, or a related field. The PPIA Junior Summer Institute Application is due around mid-November each year. 
  • Office of Fellowships - There are varied resources available to students via the Office of Fellowships. For example, the Fellowship Finder is a searchable database containing information on undergraduate tuition support, research funding, internships and summer opportunities. When using the Fellowship Finder use the search filter "Underrepresented Minority" (URM). URM is used to define BIPOC underrepresentation according to federal standards and includes such identities as Black, Latinx, Native American, and Southeast Asian.  Additional drop-downs allow you to select other underrepresented identities, including LGBT and FGLI.