Yenchi Tran, DO, Receives MAFP Innovation Grant for "Reigniting The Ladder in St. Paul" Project

Yenchi Tran, DO, a second-year resident at Woodwinds Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program, has been awarded an Innovation Grant from the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) Foundation. Grants are funded for one year for family medicine residents to have the opportunity to develop skills in leadership, practice-based research and clinical care. Assistant Professor Katie Freeman, MD, will serve as a mentor for this project, which is titled “Reigniting the Ladder in St. Paul.” Dr. Tran responded to a few questions about the project.

What question are you answering or researching?

The Ladder for America provides a structured environment that fosters cascading mentorship and leadership among underrepresented students (grades 4-12), college students, graduate students, physicians, and professionals in STEM careers. The St. Paul Chapter is a collaboration between the family medicine programs at St. John’s Hospital, United Hospital, and Woodwinds Hospital. Through this collaboration, we strive to explore the following questions with an aim to support young people's engagement.

1. Is it easier for students to attend at the library instead of at a school?
2. How can we make The Ladder accessible to students who speak English as a second language?
3. How do participants view the program during its first year?

What is the problem or need that your project will address?

Career readiness can begin at any age, but multiple factors may deter students—especially those from under-represented backgrounds—from choosing STEM careers. These factors include limited exposure and awareness about health career opportunities, lack of diversity in the professions, limited academic preparedness, and a lack of mentorship. Re-initiating the St. Paul Chapter of the Ladder will provide students with access to STEM career exposure, awareness, and mentorship.  

How is your project innovative? How is it different from what’s been done before or how does it build on other work?

The St. Paul Chapter of The Ladder, though stable for several years, was set aside during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. We plan to restart and reinvigorate the program from July 2025 to May 2026 by establishing new leadership and collaborations among the three East Metro family medicine residency programs. Our goal is to connect with youth and young adults through mentorship and activities that foster excitement, curiosity, and interest in healthcare through partnerships with different schools and diverse communities. 

How is your project important to family medicine? How does it improve patient health and outcomes?

It is projected that the United States will face a physician shortage of up to 86,000 by 2036 (AAMC, March 2024). This project is important for family medicine because providing knowledge and mentorship to students in the East Metro of the Twin Cities has strong potential to inspire students to pursue careers in healthcare. This will not only provide a solution against the physician shortage but also promote diversity amongst our healthcare providers to better serve the patient population in the Twin Cities, producing better outcomes for patients with chronic and preventable diseases or conditions.¹

Why are you interested in this project?

Speaking on the behalf of the residents who are involved, we are interested in this project because community engagement, patient education, and mentorships are some of the pillars of family medicine that bring joy and promote wellness. However, full residency schedules and obligations are challenges to find time to be present in the community. The Ladder serves as a collaboration among the three programs to support our local youths, encourage learning and excitement about healthcare topics, and inspire future generations of healthcare practitioners and leaders. Additionally, it will build resident skills in communication and patient education, and build cohesion and connection across neighboring residency programs.

¹Milbank Q. 2005 Sep;83(3):457–502. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-0009.2005.00409.x