Gateways

GATEWAYS TO THE LABORATORY SUMMER PROGRAM: 

GATEWAYS TO THE LABORATORY SUMMER PROGRAM Ruth Gotian, MS Program Manager Weill Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan-Kettering Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program New York, NY

BACKGROUND: 

BACKGROUND Initiated as a means of increasing the pool of qualified underrepresented minority (URM) applicants to MD-PhD Programs. Program started with 4 students in 1993, and is now up to 15 students.

MD-PHD TRAINING: 

MD-PHD TRAINING The mission of MD-PhD programs is to educate and train physician-scientists, who can bridge the (widening) gap between clinical medicine and laboratory research, which is brought about by technological developments and specialization in both fields. RESEARCH: TEACHING: CLINICAL MEDICINE Basic Research Basic Science Disease-Oriented Research Clinical Disciplines Patient-Oriented Research Population-Oriented Research

MD-PHD TRAINING: 

MD-PHD TRAINING The mission of the physician-scientist is to promote better health and enhance the quality of life by reducing disability and death from disease. In order to promote health, it is necessary to understand not only normal body function but also how, and why, disease develops. How do our genes (and gene products) interact among each other and with the environment?

PROGRAM GOALS: 

PROGRAM GOALS To prepare URM students for the challenges associated with applying to and successfully completing MD-PhD Programs.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW: 

PROGRAM OVERVIEW Freshman and sophomores only. 10 week program. On campus housing. $3,900 stipend. Travel reimbursement.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: 

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Independent research projects - Weill Medical College, The Rockefeller University or the Sloan-Kettering Institute. Weekly Journal Club. Laboratory Techniques Workshop. Clinical Skills Workshop. Clinical Rounds – Department of Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital. Specialty Rounds. Gross Anatomy – lecture and tour. Final Presentations Written paper; Oral presentation; Poster presentation.

CAREER GUIDANCE: 

CAREER GUIDANCE Mock MCAT exam and strategy session. Writing a Scientific CV Workshop. Interview Workshop. Mock MD-PhD Interview. ABC’s of applying to medical, graduate and MD-PhD Programs. How to present your research in an oral, written and poster format.

SOCIAL EVENTS: 

SOCIAL EVENTS New York Yankees Baseball Game Late Show with David Letterman Apollo Theatre Puerto Rican Day Parade New York Liberty Basketball Game BBQ Much, much more!!

BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER PROGRAM: 

BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER PROGRAM Each Gateways student is assigned a Big Brother/Sister who is a current URM MD-PhD student. Serve as advisors; Answer research and career related questions. Organize educational, social and cultural events.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT: 

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT Need to educate parents about the career options for MD-PhD’s. Continuous communication throughout the summer regarding planned Gateways activities. Invite parents to final presentations: Stay in local hotel as our guest; Complimentary airline tickets (in progress).

RESULTS: 

RESULTS Attendance at national conferences SACNAS (Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science) Atlanta, GA In 2000, 13 out of 14 Gateways students applied, all 13 had their abstracts chosen for poster presentations, and four were awarded with the Best Student Poster Award (awarded to only 26 out of 315 posters presented). NMRS (National Minority Research Symposium), Washington, DC MTRF (Minority Trainee Research Forum), San Diego, CA

RESULTS, CONTINUED: 

RESULTS, CONTINUED Research positions Gateways students get top research positions upon their return to their undergraduate institution. For following summers, Gateways students accepted into most competitive summer programs.

RESULTS, CONTINUED: 

RESULTS, CONTINUED Alumni 73 alumni (1993-2000) 28 pursuing/pursued a MD degree; 1 pursuing a PhD degree; 5 in MD-PhD Programs (including Harvard, Johns Hopkins and UCSF); 25 still in college; 5 pursuing other careers; 9 unknown.

IDEAS FOR FUTURE SUCCESS: 

IDEAS FOR FUTURE SUCCESS Increase educational initiatives about the existence and importance of combined MD-PhD programs. Fund additional summer programs to be run by MD-PhD Programs; Promote attendance/presentations at national conferences. Encourage parental involvement.