Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Overview

Rutgers University is an academic health leader that is shaping the future of human health, pioneering breakthroughs, and integrating care to keep the world well. Through the activities of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS), Rutgers stands as one of America’s largest and most comprehensive university-based centers for studying and improving human health and health care. Rutgers takes an integrated approach to educating students, providing clinical care, and conducting research with the goal of improving human health.  We at NJMS are resolutely responding to the need for a diverse healthcare workforce that resembles the diversity of today’s patients.  Our goal is to prepare SHPEP scholars as future healthcare leaders that can work in interprofessional, collaborative teams to maximize the health and well-being of individuals, communities, and populations.

COVID-19 INSTITUTION POLICIES:

• Face coverings are optional for all indoor activities at this site, with the exception of all clinical settings where masks must be worn.  The university is prepared to revisit this change in protocol should future public health conditions warrant.  We encourage all individuals who prefer to wear masks to do so, and we fully respect that personal decision.
• Vaccination is required to attend this site.

• More information regarding the campus COVID-19 policies: Click here

Rutgers Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) is an innovative enrichment program designed to cultivate the interprofessional leaders of tomorrow, giving them the knowledge, skills, and attitude to impact the health and well-being of communities.  SHPEP encompasses Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS), School of Dental Medicine (SDM), School of Nursing (SN), and Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy (EMSOP), which collectively offer programs beginning in 6th grade, fostering diversity in the health professions. Our goal is to prepare SHPEP scholars as future healthcare leaders in the fields of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and nursing. By the end of the six weeks, scholars will be able to:

• Respect the unique culture, values, roles/responsibilities, and expertise of other scholars as well as diverse health professionals and the impact these factors can have on health outcomes,
• Embrace the cultural diversity and differences that characterize individuals, populations, and the healthcare team,
• Act with honesty and integrity in relationships with patients, families, communities, and other team members,
• Demonstrate a commitment to addressing the social determinants of health by  recognizing the importance of health care policy and community partnerships on population health,
• Apply effective interprofessional team-building skills through the use of multimodal experiential learning strategies, such as simulation-based activities, role playing, case based scenarios and healthcare team presentations,
• Integrate knowledge from the basic and quantitative sciences to build the foundation for critical thinking and academic success in the health professions,
• Develop the self-care, resilience, and reflective skills to become lifelong learners and future leaders, and
• Apply their knowledge, skills, and attitudes to augment and support the contributions of their peers.

The SHPEP curriculum incorporates interprofessional education competencies and leadership as foundational elements which are threaded throughout all courses and experiences. A typical week may include team-building exercises, simulation/roleplaying, basic science and quantitative courses, wellness activities, academic strategies, leadership development and clinical experiences. Underlying these activities are Critical Analysis/Reasoning and Life Management Skills that will increase resilience, confidence, and engagement in work. Teaching/Learning Modalities have incorporated e-learning, large group and small group interactive sessions, team-based learning (TBL), case-based discussions, tutorials, and labs. Scholars will learn about, from, and with each other in simulations and clinical experiences that enable effective collaborations and improve health outcomes. Courses include: Organic Chemistry, Calculus/Physics, integrated Anatomy and Physiology, Introduction to Pharmacology, Biostatistics/Epidemiology, and Critical Analysis and Reasoning.  Health Equity and Social Justice content is threaded throughout, covering unconscious bias, structural racism and its relevance to healthcare, social determinants of health, and the role of advocacy.  Students will be able to recognize the impact of structural racism on health outcomes and the importance of health care policy and community partnerships.  Topics include: unconscious bias, racism, structural racism, oppression, and stereotype threat.  Emerging Issues in Healthcare presentations will expose students to various health care professionals such as alumni, and transplant and palliative care teams that are models for interprofessional collaborative care.  Scholars improve their academic success and learn techniques to improve focus, concentration, memory, emotional well-being, and effective strategies to take control of their learning.  To enhance our scholars’ academic and communication skills, workshops are held each week covering topics such as test taking strategies, time management, note taking, communication skills, etc.

Other program-related activities include career development sessions, course reviews by teaching assistants, library skills, stress management, self-care, and wellness, networking social activities, a civil rights workshop, and a financial literacy and planning workshop.

Clinical Experience: Rutgers Summer Health Professions Education Program supports the effective practice of clinical reasoning and decision-making. Key activities include a limited set of clinical experiences, emphasizing settings that are models of interprofessional care. In addition, EMSOP has created unique practice models in emerging areas of pharmacy practice, such as transitions of care, ambulatory care, and integrated health homes. Scholars may participate in relevant experiences via our interprofessional clinical rotations through our faculty practices. Scholars also experience interprofessional teams in action at University Hospital that will help them better understand clinical care and effective team communication. Rutgers SHPEP requires scholars to make a significant commitment to six weeks of comprehensive academic instruction in a residential setting. To ensure successful completion, accepted scholars are strongly advised not to overschedule by attempting to engage in additional activities, including internships or summer courses. Students are reminded to be flexible, as scheduling may be subject to changes due to faculty scheduling and/or other unforeseen circumstances.

Health Profession tracks Offered:

• Medical
• Dental
• Pharmacy
• Nursing

Finances

Stipend: A $1000.00 stipend per scholar will be distributed in two installments.

• The first installment of $500 will be distributed during the program’s second week.
• The second installment of $500 will be distributed during the fourth week of the program.

Meals: Dinner is provided for all scholars at Rutgers University-Newark, five days a week, and is fully subsidized by the program.  Accepted scholars will also receive a $200 meal stipend.

Living

Housing: Rutgers-Newark campus housing will be provided.

Health Insurance: Scholars are required to provide their own health care insurance.  In the event of an emergency, services will be provided either through our emergency department or our walk-in clinic. 

Social Activities: Scholars will engage in weekly extracurricular social/wellness activities.  Possible activities include roller skating, volleyball, NJMS cook-out, live workout classes, scavenger hunts, meditation, game night, movie night, yoga, etc.  Information will also be provided for social activities located in downtown Newark.