NMU and Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine recently launched a partnership that will help both disadvantaged students and underserved areas of medicine. Dr. James Hillard of MSU is pictured at left during the Oct. 2 announcement in C.B. Hedgcock. The Early Assurance Program provides a link between pre-medical students at NMU and MSU’s medical school. It enhances medical school admission opportunities for qualified pre-medical students who wish to practice in underserved areas, particularly rural locations. "This program has a long-term vision for enhancing health care in Marquette and beyond, as many of these students will likely return to the Upper Peninsula to practice," Hillard said. Preference will be given to students who are the first generation in their families to attend college, graduated from a low-income high school, are eligible for Pell grants or express interest in a high-need medical specialty. "Anything we can do with medical schools directly helps to strengthen our program," said Dave Lucas (Physics), director of the pre-med program at NMU. "The nice thing about this is that they'll find out in their junior year if they're accepted. Most students have to wait until their senior year. And they don't have to come into the pre-med program as freshmen. They can identify partway through. For example, a biology major might decide to become a doctor and he or she could pursue that. It could also apply to post-baccalaureate students." NMU and Michigan Technological University are the U.P. institutions participating in MSU's Early Assurance Program. Grand Valley State University began the program as a pilot in 2008. |
