Diversity in Pediatrics Visiting Student Elective Award

The University of Minnesota Department of Pediatrics recognizes the role of racism in medical education both interpersonally and systemically. Two results of this racism are historically excluded populations of medical providers on the basis of race, also referred to as Under-Represented in Medicine (URiM), and worse care and health outcomes for our patients of color. In the hopes of supporting our URiM students and of working towards improved healthcare for our communities of color, the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota is pleased to offer the Diversity in Pediatrics Visiting Student Elective Award. This award is intended to support URiM students and those with substantial, demonstrable service and experience serving communities of color through mentorship, networking, academic exposure outside of their primary institution, and funding.

Contact Us

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Please contact Molly Wyman, MD (fans0017@umn.edu) and Alex Behrend (pedstud@umn.edu).

To Qualify

To Qualify Students Must Be:

  • Currently Enrolled 3rd or 4th Year Medical Students 
  • In good academic standing with an LCME or COCA accredited U.S. Institution
  • Applying or strongly considering Pediatric residency or Med/Peds residency
  • Accepted to a visiting elective via VSAS
    • Including meeting pre-requisite requirements per specific elective
  • Belonging to a historically excluded group (under-represented in medicine) including Black/African-American, Latinx/Hispanic, Native American, Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian, Filipino, Hmong, Vietnamese, and/or mainland Puerto Rican

OR 

  • With a substantial and demonstrable record of service and experience working with communities of color.
Eligible Electives

Please see below for a list of eligible electives. Participants must meet specific prerequisite requirements for a given elective.

  • PED 7534 - Peds Cardiology
  • PED 7535 - Peds Infectious Diseases
  • PED 7536 - Peds Heme/Onc and BMT
  • PED 7537 - Peds Endocrinology & Metabolism
  • PED 7538 - Peds Gastroenterology & Nutrition
  • PED 7543 - Peds Nephrology
  • PED 7544 - Peds Pulmonary Disease
  • PED 7548 - Clinical Genetics
Award Benefits
  • Mentorship and Networking
    • Meet with the Vice Chair of Education in Pediatrics and Program Director, Emily Borman-Shoap, MD
    • Meet with the Director of Medical Student Education in Pediatrics, Molly F Wyman, MD
    • Meet with Trainee Diversity Council Faculty Mentor
    • Work with residents and faculty throughout the department
  • Practice Residency Interview with Feedback (optional)
  • Guaranteed Pediatrics Residency Interview Opportunity at the University of Minnesota
  • $2,500 stipend to be used for transportation, housing, meals, unforeseen expenses, and upcoming application costs
To Apply

Step 1: Complete initial application through the AAMC Visiting Student Learning Opportunities Page (AKA/PKA VSAS).

Step 2: When an elective(s) application is submitted through VSLO/VSAS follow up with full application here including:

  • Background information
  • Brief Statement of Interest (250 word limit)
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae (collected via VSLO/VSAS)

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Please contact Molly Wyman, MD (fans0017@umn.edu) and Alex Behrend (pedstud@umn.edu)