Advancing Health Equity Program

The University of South Alabama Department of Surgery is proud to offer the Advancing Health Equity Scholarship for visiting students to provide support for fourth-year medical students interested in participating in a four-week rotation at our academic medical center. The scholarship includes $1,500 stipend to help offset the cost of travel, housing, fees, and incidental expenses. It is available for eligible rising MS4 students with a demonstrated interest in serving underserved communities who wish to rotate as a visiting student with the General Surgery training program in the Department of Surgery at USA. The award aims to increase the number of trainees with experiences living or working within health disparity communities in the General Surgery residency program at USA and in surgery as a whole.

Eligibility

• Fourth-year medical student in good standing at an accredited U.S. allopathic/osteopathic medical school
• Student must be able to describe their experiences living and/or working within health disparity (underserved) communities.
• Students must have completed all core clerkships.
• Students must have successfully passed USMLE Step 1.

Scholars Receive

• $1,500 stipend toward travel, food and housing
• Matched with a resident mentor
• Matched with two faculty mentors: one within the AI of choice (Colorectal, GI Surgery, Surgical Critical Care) and Dr. Maryann Mbaka, assistant program director
• One-on-one advisement with General Surgery Program Director Dr. Leander Grimm
• Networking opportunities with faculty, residents and students interested in your success
• Dinner with General Surgery residency leadership and select residents

Scholar Responsibilities and Rotation Details

• One-month rotation on Colorectal Surgery, GI and Laparoscopic Surgery, or Surgical Critical Care at University Hospital
• Attendance at weekly resident didactics
• Attendance at weekly Grand Rounds
• Visiting students will adhere to the appropriate USA Health and Whiddon College of Medicine COVID-19 safety protocols while participating in an elective.

How to Apply

Please send the following to Tyronda Rogers, General Surgery residency program coordinator, at tmrogers@health.southalabama.edu:

• Personal statement (500 words max) — Tell us about yourself, delineate your interest in a career in general surgery, your interest in the University of South Alabama, and why you qualify for this scholarship.
• Advancing Health Equity Scholarship Program Application Form [PDF]
• CV
• Letter of good standing from dean’s office
• Standard application through VSLO required

Visiting students can begin an in-person away rotation no earlier than July 22, 2024, which corresponds with Block 2 of the AY 2024-2025 M4 academic calendar. Applications must be received by June 21, 2024. Awards will be made by June 30.