PSOMER
Leaders of Tomorrow: New Pritzker Pipeline Program Attracts Exemplary Students, Achieves Success
By David Owen, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
David Owen
Under the leadership of Dr. Holly Humphrey and Dr. William McDade, the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine developed Pritzker School of Medicine Education in Research (PSOMER), an eight-week research, educational, and mentoring experience focused on fostering diversity within medicine. Rising junior and senior college students applied for this residential program from all over the country, and among the 120 applications submitted, ten individuals were selected for the program. The research they conducted ranged from bench to clinical projects, reflecting our faculty’s commitment to advancing the science and practice of medicine. Participants augmented their research work with weekly cluster group meetings on their projects and with seminars that enriched their understanding of research, ethics, health care disparities, and the tools of research. At the end of the summer, each participant presented his or her work by writing a paper, giving a power point presentation, and presenting at a poster session. Throughout the program, participants benefited from the mentoring provided by faculty and medical students.
Participants in the PSOMER program along with the Department of Medicine IIT-ROC program, David Owen, Dr. Monica Vela, and Dr. V. Leo Towle
Participants lived on the campus of the University of Chicago for the eight-week experience in order to foster the same sense of community and cooperative learning that exists among our medical students. Shamsideen Musa, MSTP, was a live-in TA and quasi resident assistant for the students. He created a supportive environment for the students to adjust to Chicago and served as a resource for them as they worked through complex research questions. They also formally and informally met with and were mentored by medical students, especially from the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), and socialized with them, too. Finally, the Admissions team of Dr. Herbert Abelson, Sylvia Robertson, Joni Huff, and David Owen each met with the participants for application preparation questions or general advice pertaining to where they were in the application pipeline, and for a mock interview.
The Pritzker School of Medicine values the educational benefits that arise when individuals from diverse backgrounds converse, interact, question, and challenge one another. We are committed to building a diverse physician workforce and greater cultural competency in its students; the PSOMER program shares this goal.
