Medical College of Wisconsin Unveils New Training Program for Medical Students to Address Health Disparities in Milwaukee
Health Equity Scholars Program designed to address the shortage of physicians serving high-need, medically under-resourced areas in the city.
![(from l to r): MCW Health Equity Scholars -- Gani Ali, Dalicia Simpson, Alex Rafael Martinez Colindres, Ciara Ayala, and Miracle Powell. Photo courtesy of the Medical College of Wisconsin.](https://urbanmilwaukee.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/HESP_group-768x768.jpg)
(from l to r): MCW Health Equity Scholars — Gani Ali, Dalicia Simpson, Alex Rafael Martinez Colindres, Ciara Ayala, and Miracle Powell. Photo courtesy of the Medical College of Wisconsin.
MILWAUKEE, WIS. – The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) has launched a new Health Equity Scholars Program (HESP) that aims to increase the number of physicians who choose to practice medicine in Milwaukee and specifically care for underserved, at-risk populations in the city.
“The Medical College of Wisconsin has a responsibility to train our future physician workforce to meet the healthcare challenges of our time,” said Joseph E. Kerschner, MD, MCW’s provost and executive vice president and The Julia A. Uihlein, MA, Dean of MCW’s School of Medicine. “The state of Wisconsin has a critical shortage of physicians who are specially trained to care for its medically underserved urban communities. Our new Health Equity Scholars Program will help address this problem by boosting the number of physicians who desire to stay in Milwaukee following medical school to provide healthcare to our neighbors living in historically marginalized communities.”
The HESP inaugural cohort of first-year medical students was introduced earlier this month at a “meet and greet” held at the ThriveOn King building and includes:
- Gani Ali from Minneapolis
- Ciara Ayala from Milwaukee
- Alex Rafael Martinez Colindres from Milwaukee
- Miracle Powell from Milwaukee
- Dalicia Simpson from Milwaukee
The HESP cohort will also receive full tuition scholarships from MCW. Program benefactors include: the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment, the Green Bay Packers Foundation, the Herd-Barber Family, Lisa and Greg Wesley, and The Yellin Center.
Health inequities and health outcomes in Milwaukee County are among the worst in the U.S. One reason for this – of the 33 City of Milwaukee ZIP codes, 12 are designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas with fewer than one full-time primary care physician per 3,000 to 3,500 people, far below the number required to ensure access to essential healthcare services.
“In addition to the core curriculum all Medical College of Wisconsin medical students receive, those selected for the Health Equity Scholars Program will receive additional training in navigating the challenges and systems of caring for at-risk communities in Milwaukee,” said Cassie Ferguson, MD, who co-directs the Health Equity Scholars Program with Michael Levas, MD. “We’re excited to welcome our first cohort of scholars and foster their growth into strong physician-leaders who will transform healthcare alongside the Milwaukee communities in which they serve.”
Throughout the four-year program, HESP scholars will be trained by community leaders and be provided the practical skills and hands-on experience necessary to meet the healthcare needs of economically and socially marginalized groups in Milwaukee. Scholars will also receive psychosocial support, in partnership with local businesses and organizations focused on wellness, to empower them to meet the emotional demands that often go along with practicing medicine in medically under-resourced communities.
For more information on MCW’s Health Equity Scholar Program, visit: https://www.mcw.edu/education/medical-school/health-equity-scholars-program.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Medical College of Wisconsin
Children’s Wisconsin, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center Launch Wisconsin Institute of NeuroScience
Feb 7th, 2024 by Medical College of WisconsinUnifies neurological treatments, clinical trials and research to deliver entire life span care.