The SHPEP Connect Newsletter

Dr. Rubens J. Pamies has left a lasting mark on the field of medicine and education through his extensive career and unwavering commitment to reducing health disparities. Serving as the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Dean for Graduate Studies at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) for…

By Oluwakemi Tomobi, Robert Trevino, & Jazmin Villavicencio It was with great delight that we celebrated the impact of the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) over the last 35 years. The Future Leaders in Health Summit offered an excellent opportunity for alumni from the four iterations of…

From the bedside to the lab, from local clinics to global health missions, and from public health leadership to advocacy, the exciting field of infectious diseases offers a variety of career paths for SHPEP scholars and alumni to discover. The Infectious Diseases Society of America, a global community working…

Dr. Pamies' career as a physician was marked by a series of significant roles, each contributing to his overarching mission of advancing health equity. As an editorial board member of the Journal of the National Medical Association (JNMA), a faculty member in the University of South Florida Department of Family Medicine, and the vice chancellor of academic affairs and dean for graduate studies at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), he left an indelible mark on the field of healthcare. 

Minor and Bonnin (2022) highlight the pivotal role mentors and advisors play in enhancing the performance of underrepresented medical students. Fortunately, organizations are dedicated to supporting and guiding prehealth and current health professionals from disadvantaged backgrounds. To shed light on these valuable resources, I interviewed students from diverse backgrounds to explore their experiences within these professional organizations.

Embarking on a career in the health professions is a transformative experience, often filled with challenges and unexpected turns. This journey can be especially daunting for disadvantaged students, and it's not uncommon to find oneself considering a different path due to burnout, challenges with school acceptance, or simply a desire for change.

Lisa M. Meeks, Ph.D., M.A., is a leader known for her passion for advancing disability access and inclusion in medicine. Her expertise and enthusiasm translate into her work as an Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Learning Health Sciences at the University of Michigan Medicine.

A strong leader and unwavering voice for the disability community in biomedical research and beyond,  Bonnielin Swenor, Ph.D., M.P.H., is an expert researcher in disability equity, disability data, and accessibility. Dr. Swenor serves as the Director of the Johns Hopkins University Disability Health Research Center and has joint appointments at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Wilmer Eye Institute and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Department of Epidemiology.

I launched The Dakota Initiative as a way to remember my brother during a difficult time in my life. This grassroots mental health initiative started with the intention of bettering the lives of people in South Mississippi, where I am currently pursuing my medical degree.

Currently, scholars, activists, and physicians are fighting to increase the representation and inclusion of PWD in medical education, and their efforts span the gamut of reform practices. However, to overcome systemic barriers, we all must work together to try to perform systemic action. While, obviously, joining the fight through explicit advocacy, research, and policy reform is admirable and necessary, not everyone has the ability or desire to participate in diversity, equity, and inclusion reform on an official basis.

You want to feel confident with the resources you’re using to prepare for standardized exams. You can read reviews online, ask fellow students for their recommendations, and start with using the free resources available to you. Hear from different SHPEP alums and their experiences with testing.

The Rubens J. Pamies, M.D., Opportunity Fund is pleased to announce it has selected its winners for the 2023 year. Established in memory of the late Dr. Pamies, the scholarship team has selected four candidates who reflect Dr. Pamies’ vision and commitment to eradicating health disparities.

During the pandemic, the voices of healthcare professionals were amplified to describe their arduous journeys. From both rural and urban providers, we saw the challenges they faced as if medicine was a coin and they were the two faces. There are differences between the challenges and disparities these communities face and the professionals serving them, but there are similarities. 

Language barriers exist between patients and healthcare professionals in the United States. An investigation conducted by Al Shamsi et al. published in the National Library of Medicine found that "language barriers in healthcare lead to miscommunication between the medical professional and patient, reducing both parties' satisfaction and decreasing the quality of healthcare delivery and patient safety.

The SHPEP Alumni Engagement and Communication Committee interviewed graduate students on their experiences navigating a new program. Starting graduate school provides a challenge, and we asked them about resources, mentorship, and advice. Here is what they had to say!

For 50 years, the Health Resources and Services Administration’s National Health Service Corps (NHSC) has been building healthy communities by connecting highly qualified health care providers to underserved areas nationwide. The NHSC provides financial support to skilled health care workers in exchange for service in…

“When minority students give up their dream of becoming a doctor or other health professional, they are depriving themselves; depriving future patients who would benefit from having a more ethnically and racially diverse health care workforce; and depriving the nation of the contributions they could make to improve their lives,…

Every year thousands of people apply for admission into medical school. Given the competitive nature of the application process, applying to the right schools will be a critical deciding factor in the overall success of your application season. There are many reasons applicants choose to apply to an array…

1. Test Technology: Test your equipment before the interview. Ensure your Wi-Fi, virtual video platform, microphone, and lighting are all working.  2. Practice Makes Perfect:  Mock interview sessions allow you to check your technology and curate interview responses.  3. Find a Location: Locate a quiet spot for…

When I was a premedical student in college, I had a very one-dimensional view of what research meant: sitting at a lab benchtop with a pipette in hand or culture dishes scattered in front of me. I didn’t come from a family with backgrounds in research or medicine; even…

Dear Fellow Alumni, I believe that we can all agree that there has been a key event, person, epiphany, or opportunity that completely changed our trajectory at some point during our professional journey. I also believe that many of us would agree that regardless of which iteration of Summer…

Application season is upon us! Whether you are applying for graduate school, a post-baccalaureate program, medical school, or dental school, you need to craft a personal statement. This section of your application is the opportunity to express your career aspirations and explain why the school needs you in its…

All of our goals may look different, but we must aim for them to be SMART. Whether you are starting a graduate program, transitioning into residency, or just taking the next step in achieving your goals, the foundational layout of your goals being Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely will surely…

Fourth-year medical students are eagerly evaluating their residency options and looking to formulate their residency rank lists. The National Advisory Alumni Board offers three (3) tips to assist with residency ranking.  1. Submit your rank list early. “The internet and computers are fool-proof,” said no one ever: systems crash and…