Department of Medicine Receives Advancing Racial Equity Award for Careers and Mentorship in Medicine Program
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The Department of Medicine (DOM) was awarded the Advancing Racial Equity Award for its Careers and Mentorship in Medicine Program (CAMMP), a collaboration with the DOM Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Internal Medicine Residency Program, and the Black Cultural Center. The proposal leaders are Lisa K. Butler, MPA, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator, Department of Medicine, and Chelsea Herbert, DO, Resident, Internal Medicine.
The Department of Medicine, in collaboration with the Black Cultural Center and UIC’s Student National Medical Association (SNMA) chapter, will host initiatives aimed to inspire future medical professionals and foster community health awareness. CAMMP will partner with a local high school to engage aspiring medical professionals, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds, through hands on activities, mentorship, and campus visits. Connecting students with residents and other healthcare professionals, the program aspires to demystify the journey to a medical career and provide guidance and support along the way.
CAMMP will culminate with a Community Health Fair to bridge healthcare disparities by providing accessible resources and education to underserved populations. Providing basic health screenings and information on preventive care, mindfulness, and mental health resources to Collaborating with Exercise is Medicine for dance fitness. The fair aims to empower individuals with knowledge and tools for better health outcomes.
This collaborative effort underscores a commitment to holistic community wellness and diversity in healthcare focusing on student recruitment, retention, and graduation while fostering a sense of belonging and connection through engagement with our community to improve access to educational opportunities and clinical care in underserved communities. Combining resources and expertise, the initiative promises to make a meaningful impact on individual lives, the next generation of students and healthcare professionals, and community health. Through outreach, education, empowerment, and mentorship, the award of $13,000 to CAMMP will not only addresses immediate health needs but cultivate a pipeline of diverse talent that is essential for the future of medicine and addressing healthcare disparities in the communities we serve.
Additional contributors to this proposal are Brenda Pinkett-Little, Program Director, Black Cultural Center, Alana Biggers, MD, MPH, FACP, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Academic Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Associate Program Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Min Joo, MD, MPH, FCCP, ATSF, Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep, and Allergy.
Congratulations to Lisa and Chelsea on this significant achievement!