The Summer Undergraduate Mentorship Program (SUMP) of the Hispanic Center of Excellence (HCOE) at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Einstein) is a six-week program that offers students from underrepresented groups in medicine and/or economically disadvantaged background a unique opportunity to become exposed to the realities and options within the medical profession through a “shadowing” experience with a physician. Besides shadowing a doctor in a preferred area of specialty, the program offers a broad and comprehensive curriculum, including medical lectures, hands-on workshop participation and literature review under the supervision of a research mentor and medical librarians at Einstein.
All students are expected to complete a written research project and give a PowerPoint presentation on their project to their peers, family, physician mentors and invited Einstein faculty at the program's all day colloquium and graduation. The topics for the projects may be based on a student's clinical experience and/or any related medical issue of interest. Projects are encouraged to be presented in context of core curriculum content that will highlight Institute of Medicine (IOM) reports findings on health disparities and Hispanic and minority health. The goals of the program are designed to motivate students to pursue careers in medicine, build confidence, advance leadership skills and foster working mentorship relationships.
Lectures and workshops will cover a variety of topics that include practical information such as the medical school application process, studying skills, mock interviews, current issues in medicine and special interest topics such as cultural competency and the patient-physician relationship. The lectures will be conducted by Einstein faculty and affiliated faculty from partner institutions. There will also be informal “rap sessions” conducted by medical students, residents and faculty that will provide a forum for sharing experiences. We encourage students and their parents to attend a special evening workshop on financial aid and the medical school application process.
SUMP requires a full time commitment Monday-Friday over six summer weeks. The student will be expected to attend fourteen hours of lecture per week and spend at least six hours per week with their assigned mentor. Participants in the program will be awarded a stipend at the end of the program.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Students will be considered if they are US citizens, Permanent Residents or individuals granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status by the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services from an underrepresented group in medicine and/or have an economically disadvantaged background.
- Must have completed at least their freshman year with at least one year in science by June 2017. (Sophomores' and higher)
- Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Students must complete the online application, provide an official college transcript and obtain a letter of recommendation from a faculty member before the deadline.
- Medical clearance is also required.
- Live in the Bronx or nearby metropolitan area.
Application Deadline is April 1st, 2017 at 5:00 PM
No Housing is Available
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS:
"SUMP has provided clinical and research mentoring that exposed undergraduate and graduate students, of similar backgrounds, to different areas of medicine—a reassurance that this is the path that I want to pursue. Moreover, the students were introduced to different physicians that provided insights of their specialties through lectures and personal insights. These experiences with my peers and coordinators will forever impact my journey as I am now more motivated to achieve my medical career.”
–Daniel Alicea, SUMP 2016
"This program has been a tremendous blessing. Through my shadowing experiences I have gained concrete and valuable exposure to the many facets of a clinician's career. I have come to better appreciate the research process, and I've gained a clearer understanding of the many unique opportunities available in the medical field. The mentorship I received throughout the seven weeks has inspired me to do the same for someone else. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to further solidify my desire and decision to pursue a career in medicine.”
–Courtney-Lynn Harvey, SUMP 2016
“SUMP has given me the tools and has exposed me to many aspects of medicine. I do not think I would have been exposed to such invaluable experiences until medical school. From the clinical and research mentors to the health career coordinators, I have met genuine individuals that are always willing to help all along the journey to medical school. I will forever be grateful for all SUMP has offered. I feel like I've learned so much and have gained so much confidence in knowing that I too can love and pursue medicine.”
–Ariana Pazmino, SUMP 2016
“The program gave me hope and confidence I needed to believe in my self in my pursuit to become a doctor. It confirmed that medicine was the best career for me. I gained much insight into various issues that affect our communities and had the opportunity to learn from mentors, faculty, and students. One of the most impactful experiences was learning about all the personal stories about pursing a career in medicine. It was inspiring to meet Doctors who are minorities.”
–SUMP 2012, Currently a 3rd year Medical Student at Albany Medical College
“SUMP gave me the confidence and support to actually pursue medicine. I made some great connections with my fellow sumpees and it was nice to have mentors that not only supported me but also understood where I was coming from, I still think back on the advice I received during my summer at Einstein."
–SUMP 2011, Currently First year medical student at SUNY Downstate
“This program allowed me to shadow an OB/GYN attending physician at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx, NY. The experience was not only very rewarding for me but it led me to consider OB/GYN as a specialty.”
–SUMP 2009, Currently 2nd year Medical Student at SUNY Upstate Medical University