Improving Health Care Career Pipeline Programs for Underrepresented Students: Program Design that Makes a Difference.

Area of Science:

• Health Equity
• Medical Education
• Cancer Research Training

Background:

• Health care pipeline training programs are crucial for increasing minority and underrepresented health care providers.
• The Chicago Cancer Health Equity Collaborative (ChicagoCHEC) Research Fellows Program is a tri-institutional initiative.
• It offers an 8-week summer research fellowship for undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline curriculum development, innovation, lessons learned, and outcomes from the first three cohorts of the ChicagoCHEC Research Fellows program.
• To address the minimal number of underrepresented students entering health care careers.

Main Methods:

• A tri-institutional collaborative curricular team was formed.
• A cohort model curriculum emphasized mindful inclusion of nontraditional students.
• Evidence-based mentorship, group reflection, and program evaluation were utilized.

Main Results:

• 48 fellow alumni from the first three cohorts reported high satisfaction.
• Alumni academic success will be tracked.
• The program provides academic and professional tools, sponsorship, and mentorship.

Conclusions:

• The ChicagoCHEC Research Fellows Program can serve as a useful model for increasing minority researchers in health care.
• The program aims to continue providing essential support for underrepresented students.
• High satisfaction indicates program effectiveness in guiding students toward health care careers.