Medical students' collaboration with the Department of Psychiatry creates pilot program INSIGHT

By: Rakesh Patel, Project Manager, School of Medicine

This summer a partnership between the School of Medicine’s IMPACT the RACE project and the UMMC Psychiatry department will launch the pilot program INSIGHT.  Dr. Josh Trull, PGY-II, and Dr. Perry Morgan, PGY-II, have spearheaded this project to reach high school students interested in healthcare.

INSIGHT aims to educate Mississippi’s future physicians on the path to medical school and to encourage representation in medicine from traditionally underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.  Its mission is to address disparities in racial and ethnic representation in medical education by inspiring high school students belonging to medically-underrepresented groups to pursue careers in medicine.  After receiving more than 50 applications from high school students attending the Jackson Public School District and the Holmes County Consolidated School District, 20 students were selected to participate in the 3 week long program. 

During INSIGHT, students will tour different locations across the UMMC campus and will shadow physicians in various clinical departments.  They will be given practical information on applying to college and medical school and how to obtain student loans and financial aid.  To enhance their skills, workshops on resume building and mock interviews will be conducted.  Seminars about different specialties will be held followed by Q & A sessions with current medical students and residents.  INSIGHT participants will also be given time in the simulation lab to test their skills in various clinical scenarios. 

Minority students often face unique challenges that can prevent them from progressing into health professional careers.  By identifying and reaching these students at an early age, outreach programs like INSIGHT can help alleviate some of these challenges and give students a hands on experience about a career in healthcare. 

For more information, please see the article in the Clarion Ledger