Event Designed to Help Native American Students Gain Med School Entrance
The Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP) is teaming with the Four Corners Alliance – a partnership between the medical schools of the University of Arizona, Phoenix, the University of Arizona, Tucson; the University of Colorado; the University of New Mexico and the University of Utah – to host a pre-admission workshop (PAW) March 21-24 in Phoenix. The annual PAW is designed for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) undergraduate and graduate students interested in pursuing a career in the allied health or medicine.
Margaret Knight, AAIP executive director, said the Four Corners PAW, which rotates between the participating medical schools, is a vital part of the AAIP mission to grow the healthcare workforce in Indian Country. The Pre-Admission Workshop will be an intense two days, which will give participants the necessary tools and preparation to have strong applications to medical or health programs.
“The application process to medical and health programs can be intense and competitive, so it is essential to make sure these students have the tools to succeed and are prepared to navigate the process of the medical school application and admissions processes,” Knight said. “As Native people, we need to cultivate our own healthcare providers. People that understand our culture and are passionate about addressing the unparalleled health disparities we see among tribal populations.”
Knight said the workshop topics will include sessions on: MCAT preparation; selecting a professional school; developing a personal statement; obtaining letters of recommendations; financial aid and scholarship resources; how to prepare for interviews; mock interviews with physicians; how to fill out AMCAS application; physician & medical student panel presentations; networking opportunity with faculty, staff and fellow students.
“The PAW event is more than preparing future students for the health professions application process, this event highlights the importance of diversity within our nation’s medical schools and provides a roadmap for other medical schools in the country to implement similar collaborations like we have done with the Four Corners Alliance and AAIP,” said Dr. Tara Cunningham, executive director of Admissions and Recruitment at the UA College of Medicine, Phoenix. “I learn more from the students than I am able to offer in return. Each year, I walk away from the 2-day workshop with a renewed sense of community and hope as these young people share their stories and heritage. The event is the highlight of my career in medical school admissions.”
For selected students airfare, lodging and meals will be provided to attend the workshop that will be held in University of Arizona Phoenix campus. The application deadline is January 18th.
Download the application. Call (405) 946-072 for more information