In this issue:
- Serve underserved populations as a Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) Ambassador
- Apply by Oct. 15 for the Washington Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Scholar
- Apply for the Aquifer Student Advisory Group
- Tip of the Month: Perspectives on Mind, Brain and Behavior (MBB) and Step 1 prep
Help serve underserved populations
The Health Careers Opportunity Program’s (HCOP) Ambassador program is designed to help students in health professional schools develop skills in working with underserved populations. The program is seeking underrepresented students or those willing to serve in underserved areas who have about two years left in their program.
To be an ambassador, you must:
- Complete online low-stakes canvas modules (e.g. some from the Underserved Pathway).
- Mentor a high school or undergraduate student interested in a health career. You may receive mentorship as well from a faculty member, if you’d like.
- Complete a community service-learning project and present a poster or PowerPoint at a summer HCOP program.
Compensation is $1,000 for participation. The priority application deadline is Oct. 6, 2024, then rolling admission thereafter.
Questions? Email HCOP Associate Director Hoa B. Appel, PhD, MPH, at happel@uw.edu.
Apply by Oct. 15 for the Washington Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Scholars
Applications are due by Oct. 15, 2024, to join the Washington AHEC Scholars, a free interprofessional training program that offers graduates a nationally recognized certificate that you can put on your CV.
AHEC Scholars is a two-year education and training program with the goal of supporting a diverse cohort of health professions students with an interest in working with rural and underserved communities. The team will provide you with skills and experiences to better prepare you to serve patients faced with barriers to healthcare access.
Apply for the Aquifer Student Advisory Group
Aquifer is recruiting medical students for the 2024-2025 Student Advisory Group to provide critical feedback on the development of new learning tools. Aquifer, a non-profit leader in clinical education used in 90 percent of U.S. allopathic medical schools, invites students to help shape the future of medical education.
Selected students will preview new tools and offer feedback to optimize design and communications. There is a time commitment; learn much more and apply on the Aquifer website.
Peer to Peer: Tip of the Month from Career Advising
Welcome back! Mind, Brain and Behavior (MBB) is a rigorous block, so make sure this is your main focus. In the background, especially if you didn’t have time over the summer, try to sprinkle in some Step 1 prep this fall. A good option is to review Sketchy pharm and micro or create Anki cards based on missed practice questions to review over the quarter.
While Step 1 is Pass/Fail, approach the exam as if it were scored. A lot of concepts will show up again on Step 2, subject exams, and on the wards. Building a strong foundation early in your career will lighten the load down the line! If you benefit from a structured learning environment, consider attending the weekly group tutoring sessions specifically for Step 1.
- Reviewed by BIPOC student Abraham Correa-Medina. Originally written by BIPOC alum Shanelle Briggs, MD.
Here is a link to the most recent newsletter for MS2s.