159620 Enhancing diversity in science and health professions: A university/high school biomedical pipeline partnership

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Marilyn A. Winkleby, MPH, PhD , Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Judith Ned, EdD , Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Nell Curran, BA , Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Alana Koehler, BA , Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Kathleen Fagliano , Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Dale Lemmerick , Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Elodie Escobar, BA , Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Destinee Cooper, BS , Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Earle Hall, BA, MA, MS , Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
David Ahn, PhD , Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP) is a biomedical pipeline program that seeks to diversify the science and health professions by providing academic enrichment in the biomedical sciences and college admissions support to very low-income high school students. Each summer 24 students are recruited from over 250 California high schools for the five-week residential program, led by 10 undergraduate students. Participants divide their time between classroom instruction, anatomy practicums, hospital field placements, research projects, and college admissions advising. Since its inception in 1988, 428 students have completed SMYSP and 96% have been followed for up to 19 years. The majority are from underrepresented minority groups (33.3% Latino, 21.7% African American, 4.0% Native American), many with poor academic preparation. One hundred percent of age-eligible participants have graduated from high school and 99% have been admitted to college. Of those admitted to college (and not currently college students), 82% have earned a 4-year college degree, the majority majoring in biological and physical sciences (57%). Among 4-year college graduates, 50% are attending or have graduated from medical or graduate school. Many of the 4-year college graduates (44%) are becoming or have become health professionals. This program, distinguished by direct participation in the sciences, strong mentoring, college admissions preparation, and long-term career guidance, has been highly successful in partnering with high schools to reach low-income students to enhance their interest and academic success in the science and medical fields.

Learning Objectives:
1. Learn essential components of a high school biomedical pipeline program. 2. Understand how to establish university/high school partnerships for reaching low-income students interested in science and health. 3. Understand how to engage college students in leading high school academic enrichment programs. 4. Understand how to leverage university resources when conducting a residential-based biomedical program. 5. Learn how to evaluate long-term college and career choices of a high school biomedical pipeline program.

Keywords: Low-Income, Outreach Programs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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