Pathway Programs
Pathways to Excellence in Medicine
There are pervasive disparities in the numbers of students from underrepresented in medicine backgrounds who become a part of the physician workforce. This gap can contribute to non‐inclusive clinical learning environments and worsened health disparities. This initiative seeks to utilize evidence‐based principles and the groundwork of a decade of experience to engage Philadelphia’s medical students from underrepresented in medicine (URiM) backgrounds, envisioning what their careers in academic medicine can look like and supporting them as they blaze the path toward realizing their potential as Philadelphia’s future physicians.
Eligibility: Medical Students
Educational Pipeline Program (EPP)
The mission of the Educational Pipeline Program (EPP) is to encourage high school students from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine to aspire to medical science careers. In a collaboration between the Perelman School of Medicine, The Netter Center for Community Partnerships, Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine collaborate to students from provide instruction on biomedical science (cardiovascular disease, neuroscience, gastrointestinal diseases and veterinary medicine) in the spring of each year to students from 4 West Philadelphia highs schools. The EPP allows college students, medical trainees, physicians-in-training, and faculty at the University of Pennsylvania to come together to contribute meaningfully to our surrounding community.
Eligibility: High School Students
Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)
The primary goal of SMP in the Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) is to offer promising high school students an opportunity for mentorship that will affirm their potential for success. SMP at PSOM also aims to further inspire first-generation and underrepresented students’ interest in pursuing higher education at a four-year college or university and to view it as a worthwhile goal. Each summer, a cohort of Philadelphia public high school students is led my two medical students for a four-week experience in the med school.
Eligibility: High School Sophomore and Juniors
ASPIRE Program
The ASPIRE Program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) sponsored by the Howley Foundation in partnership with La Salle University, is an enrichment program designed for high school juniors interested in pursuing a career in nursing. Upon acceptance as an ASPIRE Scholar, you will participate in a number of interactive experiences designed to expose and introduce you to the profession of nursing. After successful completion of the high school program, ASPIRE Scholars receive a stipend of $500. Following your high school senior year, ASPIRE Scholars will have the opportunity to receive scholarship funding to attend La Salle University to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and also maintain part-time employment at HUP. ASPIRE Scholars will receive ongoing support and mentorship throughout their undergraduate program and employment at HUP.
Eligibility: High School Juniors
Hinkson Holloway Mentorship Program
The Hinkson Holloway Mentorship Program is a scholarship program for Black men in the Philadelphia Area who are enrolled or going to enroll in a Philadelphia University/College and intend on pursuing Medicine as their career choice. This program is meant to push students through academics, service, and leadership to support these young men in navigating the challenging journey to Medicine. The facilitators of this program will provide mentorship and advising with academic issues, including tutoring, career development, and college/career preparation in a safe, positive, affirming space.
Eligibility: High School Seniors and College Freshmen
Penn Access Summer Scholars (PASS) Program
To support its efforts in recruiting a diverse student body, the Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) at the University of Pennsylvania, since 2008, has sponsored the Penn Access Summer Scholars (PASS) program. The program targets undergraduate college students from 9 partnering institutions who are from groups URiM as well as first generation/low-income students, providing 2 summers of a mentored research experience, didactic presentations, and enrichment activities, with the goal of enabling participants successful matriculation to PSOM.
Eligibility: Undergraduate College students
Johnson Scholars Program
A collaborative effort between the Perelman School of Medicine, the Makuu Black Cultural Center and The Center for Hispanic Excellence: La Casa Latina. Its goal is to increase the number of Penn undergraduate students from groups that are under-represented in medicine who gain admission to medical school. This is achieved through a progressive, 4-year set of tiered mentoring, advising and enrichment experiences with achievement milestones for continued participation in the program.
Eligibility: Undergraduate College Students
There are pervasive disparities in the numbers of students from underrepresented in medicine backgrounds who become a part of the physician workforce. This gap can contribute to non‐inclusive clinical learning environments and worsened health disparities. This initiative seeks to utilize evidence‐based principles and the groundwork of a decade of experience to engage Philadelphia’s medical students from underrepresented in medicine (URiM) backgrounds, envisioning what their careers in academic medicine can look like and supporting them as they blaze the path toward realizing their potential as Philadelphia’s future physicians.
Eligibility: Medical Students
Educational Pipeline Program (EPP)
The mission of the Educational Pipeline Program (EPP) is to encourage high school students from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine to aspire to medical science careers. In a collaboration between the Perelman School of Medicine, The Netter Center for Community Partnerships, Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine collaborate to students from provide instruction on biomedical science (cardiovascular disease, neuroscience, gastrointestinal diseases and veterinary medicine) in the spring of each year to students from 4 West Philadelphia highs schools. The EPP allows college students, medical trainees, physicians-in-training, and faculty at the University of Pennsylvania to come together to contribute meaningfully to our surrounding community.
Eligibility: High School Students
Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)
The primary goal of SMP in the Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) is to offer promising high school students an opportunity for mentorship that will affirm their potential for success. SMP at PSOM also aims to further inspire first-generation and underrepresented students’ interest in pursuing higher education at a four-year college or university and to view it as a worthwhile goal. Each summer, a cohort of Philadelphia public high school students is led my two medical students for a four-week experience in the med school.
Eligibility: High School Sophomore and Juniors
ASPIRE Program
The ASPIRE Program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) sponsored by the Howley Foundation in partnership with La Salle University, is an enrichment program designed for high school juniors interested in pursuing a career in nursing. Upon acceptance as an ASPIRE Scholar, you will participate in a number of interactive experiences designed to expose and introduce you to the profession of nursing. After successful completion of the high school program, ASPIRE Scholars receive a stipend of $500. Following your high school senior year, ASPIRE Scholars will have the opportunity to receive scholarship funding to attend La Salle University to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and also maintain part-time employment at HUP. ASPIRE Scholars will receive ongoing support and mentorship throughout their undergraduate program and employment at HUP.
Eligibility: High School Juniors
Hinkson Holloway Mentorship Program
The Hinkson Holloway Mentorship Program is a scholarship program for Black men in the Philadelphia Area who are enrolled or going to enroll in a Philadelphia University/College and intend on pursuing Medicine as their career choice. This program is meant to push students through academics, service, and leadership to support these young men in navigating the challenging journey to Medicine. The facilitators of this program will provide mentorship and advising with academic issues, including tutoring, career development, and college/career preparation in a safe, positive, affirming space.
Eligibility: High School Seniors and College Freshmen
Penn Access Summer Scholars (PASS) Program
To support its efforts in recruiting a diverse student body, the Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) at the University of Pennsylvania, since 2008, has sponsored the Penn Access Summer Scholars (PASS) program. The program targets undergraduate college students from 9 partnering institutions who are from groups URiM as well as first generation/low-income students, providing 2 summers of a mentored research experience, didactic presentations, and enrichment activities, with the goal of enabling participants successful matriculation to PSOM.
Eligibility: Undergraduate College students
Johnson Scholars Program
A collaborative effort between the Perelman School of Medicine, the Makuu Black Cultural Center and The Center for Hispanic Excellence: La Casa Latina. Its goal is to increase the number of Penn undergraduate students from groups that are under-represented in medicine who gain admission to medical school. This is achieved through a progressive, 4-year set of tiered mentoring, advising and enrichment experiences with achievement milestones for continued participation in the program.
Eligibility: Undergraduate College Students
Volunteer Opportunities
CHOP Wawa Volunteer Program
It takes a team to heal a child, and hospital volunteers are an essential part of that effort. Whether playing with children during waiting times, greeting visitors or helping families find their way through the halls, the volunteers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) make a difference providing a special human connection that often eases the stress for patients and families going through difficult times. We have an array of volunteer opportunities available to support patients, families, visitors, and staff throughout the CHOP network. Opportunities include staffing the Wawa Coffee and Care Cart, supporting the patient and family experience, or assisting our nursing and child life teams. Volunteer placements are based on the needs of the hospital.
Eligibility: 16 years and above
It takes a team to heal a child, and hospital volunteers are an essential part of that effort. Whether playing with children during waiting times, greeting visitors or helping families find their way through the halls, the volunteers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) make a difference providing a special human connection that often eases the stress for patients and families going through difficult times. We have an array of volunteer opportunities available to support patients, families, visitors, and staff throughout the CHOP network. Opportunities include staffing the Wawa Coffee and Care Cart, supporting the patient and family experience, or assisting our nursing and child life teams. Volunteer placements are based on the needs of the hospital.
Eligibility: 16 years and above