Pre-Med/Pre-Health: URIM Opportunities

What does URIM mean?

URIM stands for “underrepresented in medicine.” UMass Pre-Med/Pre-Health Advising uses the abbreviation to include students who fall into any of the following categories:

  • From racial or ethnic groups underrepresented in medicine and other health professions
  • From economically disadvantaged backgrounds
  • In the first generation of those in their family to attend college

Why are there unique opportunities for URIM students?

The short answer is that medical schools want to improve medical care. While, overall, medicine continues to advance, socioeconomic status and race still play a big part in predicting patient outcomes in the United States for a multitude of reasons, one being a lack of diverse physicians.

A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that “communities with high proportions of Black and Hispanic residents were four times as likely as others to have a shortage of physicians.” The same study concluded that Black and Hispanic physicians were far more likely to practice in these areas of high need. Numerous other studies conclude that patients are more likely to feel satisfied by their interactions with physicians of similar racial and ethnic backgrounds.

That said, medical schools currently do not reflect the diversity in the United States well, with only six percent of graduates being Black or African American and five percent being Hispanic or Latinx. Consequently, the purpose of programs for URIM students is to increase the pipeline of diverse students who are both passionate about and prepared for medical school. The long answer and lots of information about diversity in medicine can be found on the AAMC website. 

Baccalaureate MD Pathway Program

The UMass BaccMD Pathway Program is a partnership between the UMass Chan Medical School and the UMass undergraduate campuses. It is a program offered to students who are from racial or ethnic groups underrepresented in medicine nationally or in Massachusetts, who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, or who are first-generation-to-college students. The program offers academic and clinical immersion opportunities as well as support in preparing for the MCAT. If you plan to apply to this program, you should meet with one of the advisors in the Pre-Med/PreHealth Office during your sophomore year and submit the Self-Assessment for BaccMD Scholars form to Catherine Eden by email approximately 2-4 weeks before the BaccMD application deadline. If you have not spoken with an advisor during the academic year, you can make a remote appointment during winter break. The Pre-Med/Pre-Health Advising Office is open throughout the month of January. Use Navigate to schedule an appointment.

Summer 2023 DEI One-Month Surgery Internship

Applications are due by March 31 for this program that begins June 5 and runs through June 30. In order to create a surgical workforce that reflects the diversity and needs of Massachusetts, the Department of Surgery at UMass Chan Medical School is providing a paid, summer internship for students from the following backgrounds: URIM (racially/ethnically), economically disadvantaged, first-gen to college, or LGBTQ+.

Participants will get exposure, support, and mentorship in the field of surgery through a four week program at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in order to:

  • Introduce the field of surgery and the various surgical subspecialties
  • Give insight into the path to become a surgeon and provide the knowledge and tools required to be successful
  • Provide hands-on surgical simulation experience, clinical exposure, volunteering, and research opportunities to foster and expand such interests
  • Build relationships between the community and surgical department at UMass
  • Develop formal mentorships and sponsorships in pursuit of future surgical careers

Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP)

The AAMC’s SHPEP is a free (full tuition, housing, and meals) six-week summer medical and dental school preparatory program that offers eligible students intensive and personalized medical and dental school preparation. The programs include academic enrichment activities, clinical exposure, and other activities. The goal of the SHPEP is to strengthen the academic proficiency and career development of students underrepresented in the health professions and prepare them for a successful application and matriculation to health professions schools. Each of the 13 program sites has different entrance criteria and all are interested in first- and second-year college students with a demonstrated interest in issues affecting underserved populations. Applications are competitive.

Additional on-campus support systems

Students seeking additional mentorship resources should visit the Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success (CMASS). They offer peer mentoring, social connections, cultural enrichment, and help navigating the many offices at UMass. CNS students may also find support at the CNS Office of Student Success and Diversity. Resources include everything from one-on-one academic advising to success workshops.

Off-campus organizations that support diversity in health care

ExploreHealthCareers.org offers links to a number of organizations that support and foster diversity—ranging from support for URIM students to women in medicine. They also connect to advocacy organizations that help to foster equality in health care across race, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.