Medical College of Wisconsin Unveils New Training Program for Medical Students to Address Health Disparities in Milwaukee

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.

This new program will be based at the ThriveOn King building, 2153 N. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, and is where the initial cohort of five MCW medical students can live during their physician training once construction of the residential component is complete. Living at ThriveOn King is intended to provide an immersive learning experience, helping the students develop a deeper connection to the community, as well as gain first-hand knowledge of its residents, their needs, and the resources available.

“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.

Research suggests potential solutions are those that provide community-based learning and a curriculum focused on health equity, along with attracting graduating medical students and trainees to high-need areas before they establish their medical practice.

“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.