Tuskegee University Scholars Collaboration

Planning your career as a physician and looking for meaningful work to round out your studies? ...

Spend your summer with us!

The Department of Surgery in collaboration with Tuskegee University, have partnered together to provide an opportunity for Tuskegee University undergraduates who are interested in medicine with an immersion scholars experience on our Twin Cities campus.

Undergraduates engage in clinical observation, work on faculty-sponsored projects and participate in educational seminars from renowned leaders throughout our institution and the Twin Cities community — all while exploring and experiencing the variety of activities Minnesota has to offer. This eight-week paid program is open to students who have completed their sophomore or junior year at Tuskegee University and are interested in becoming a physician. Our summer 2023 scholars collaboration will start in June and run through July.

Application Deadline: February 28, 2023

Program Participation

  • Shadowing experiences - participate in clinics and operating suites alongside surgeons and physicians
  • Research opportunities - experience hands on research in labs, with the goal of creating a research poster for presentation
  • Core curriculum - Learn more about how to navigate the medical school application process, MCAT Prep, What does the ‘day in the life’ of a medical student look like? How about a surgery resident?
  • Social/cultural activities - tentatively plans include a tour of the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum, Site Visit to the George Floyd Memorial, Minn. Twins or St. Paul Saints Baseball Game, + more.

FUNDED SUPPORT

  • Lodging and partial meal stipend
  • Transportation to and from Minnesota
  • Hourly wage of $15/hour (40 hours per week)
  • Cost of any immersion activities

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Research

Participants are matched with a faculty mentor and paired with a surgical research resident. Projects are clinically oriented and intended to challenge and build upon current coursework, as well as provide introductions to new concepts in a real-world academic healthcare setting. At the end of the program, participants will showcase their achievements at a poster session attended by department faculty, trainees and staff.

Clinical Observation

Our rotating clinical and surgical observations expose participants to a variety of environments, broaden their scopes of interest and allow them to gain an understanding of new and different areas of medicine. Step into the operating room, shadow physicians while they perform a procedure or test, or observe face-to-face daily interaction between a trusted care provider and a patient. Our program will engage you from a provider’s perspective and show you a side of medicine you may not yet have experienced. 

Lunch and Learn Lecture Series

You'll have the opportunity to learn from some of the most forward-thinking minds in medicine. Leaders across the Twin Cities, University of Minnesota Medical School and Department of Surgery will share their knowledge and experience in a lecture series. Lecture topics include: an orientation and welcome to the Twin Cities; getting into medical school; MCAT Prep; life as a trainee; choosing a specialty, as well as additional department chair events and Dean’s topics.

Ready to Apply? Application Requirements

Applicants will be responsible for uploading all documents, including letters of recommendation | Incomplete applications will not be considered.
 
Application Deadline: February 28, 2023
 
1. One-to-two page cover letter, typed and double spaced using 12 pt Times New Roman. In your cover letter you must answer the following questions:
- Why do you want to participate in this program?
- Have you participated in a similar program before?
- How will this program benefit you?
- Do you have a specific area of interest in the medical field? If so, what is it and why?
2. Resume
3. Unofficial transcript
4. Two letters of recommendation

Contacts

Department of Surgery

  • Sherri Novitsky, MMA, MA - Administrative Director | UMN Department of Surgery (novit002@umn.edu)
  • Dr. Bradley Segura - Assistant Professor, Pediatric Surgery | Department of Surgery (bjsegura@umn.edu)
  • Jenni Sullivan - Associate Administrative Director | Department of Surgery (jsulliva@umn.edu)
  • Stephanie McLean - Project Coordinator | Department of Surgery (mcleans@umn.edu)

Tuskegee University

Program Information Summary