MMA and University of Minnesota Medical School Launch Pilot Medical Careers Program

February 8, 2024

In January, the MMA, in partnership with the University of Minnesota Medical School Office of Admissions, launched a pilot medical careers program with the Laura Jeffrey Academy (LJA) in St. Paul. The program furthers the MMA and the University of Minnesota Medical School’s commitment to diversifying Minnesota’s physician workforce. The goal of the program is to help facilitate exposure to careers in medicine for elementary, middle, and high school students in schools with a high proportion of students who are historically underrepresented in medicine. 

The idea for this program stemmed from a task force convened by the MMA, which set out to advise the MMA on the actions needed to ensure that Minnesota’s medical community ends the institutional, systemic, and structural racism that has been present in medicine for far too long. The task force brought together a group of 36 pre-med students, medical students, residents, community physicians, medical school leadership, and residency program leadership. Its recommendation to create a medical careers program was approved by the MMA Board of Trustees. 

Students took part in a pilot medical careers program with the Laura Jeffrey Academy in St. Paul.

LJA is a tuition-free public middle school in St. Paul, which has an inclusive, culturally diverse learning environment that is open to all students in grades 5-8. Approximately 15 scholars (in the 5th grade) participated in the pilot medical careers program. 

MMA staff and University of Minnesota Medical School Office of Admissions staff developed a curriculum that consisted of a variety of experiences that would expose the scholars to careers in medicine. Classroom sessions included: 

• Family Medicine - Supporting bodily autonomy across the lifespan – Nicole Chaisson, MD, MPH, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, M Health Fairview Clinic - Smiley's 

• Achieving Well-being: A Physician’s Consultation - Thomas Kottke, MD MSPH, emeritus consulting cardiologist, Park Nicollet Health Partners Medical Group, medical director for well-being, HealthPartners Health Plan 

• Primary Care Sports Medicine – David Olson, MD, assistant professor, University of Minnesota Medical School, associate director - Sports Medicine Fellowship, team physician for the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, St. Paul Saints, University of Minnesota, University of St. Thomas, Roseville Area High School, and U.S. Soccer. 

The scholars from LJA also had the opportunity to engage in a “mini medical school” day, hosted at the University of Minnesota Medical School. This experience included the following sessions: 

• Inspirational lecture on the role of a physician and the importance of diversity in medicine – Led by Brian Muthyala, MD, MPH, internal medicine physician and hospitalist, Hennepin Healthcare; assistant professor of medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School. 

• Medical School Oath writing session – Led by Elizabeth A. Rogers, MD, MAS (Community-University Health Care Center (CUHCC)) and University of Minnesota Medical School students (Angela Cao, MS2; Melissa Edgar, MS3; and Gloria Kitange, MS2). The goal of the session was for the scholars to create their own medical oath, as is the practice for current medical students. 

• Visit to M Simulation (Simulation Center) – This provided the scholars with an opportunity to integrate with full body manikins and replicas of different body regions. The experience allowed them to see, firsthand, how technical and procedural skills are applied in a medical setting. 

• Personal Oath Writing Session – Led by Melissa Edgar, MS3. The goal of the session was for the scholars to create an oath to themselves. The oath would allow for a moment of reflection when it is delivered back to each scholar at the end of the school year by their teacher. 

Opportunities to be exposed to careers in medicine are not ones that are afforded to all youth. Through this program, a lens into a career in medicine was provided – and all involved were grateful for the journey.