University of Washington

Overview

UW SHPEP will emphasize a culture of health by encouraging scholars to consider from the cellular to the global level the many factors that influence health. In addition, scholars will be encouraged to explore what their unique role will be in improving the health of communities with curricula exploring self-identity, culture, and personal strengths in a context presenting a range of health professions. Rigorous academic course work will use a learn-to-learn model to provide academic enrichment in the areas of population health and life sciences. The emphasis of this learning model will focus NOT on learning exact subject areas, but instead on how best to learn life science topics so scholars are equipped with evidence-based techniques needed to succeed in these courses when they return to their home institutions.  (this will not be done in a format that is preparatory for exams like the MCAT or DAT). Scholars will be expected to participate in lectures, active learning activities, discussions, and to complete assignments outside of formal class, including self-reflection. Additionally, scholars will have the unique opportunity to understand social determinants of health and how to engage in finding community-based solutions to reduce health disparities through a service-learning project. The service-learning projects center working with community organizations to address a defined need in community. Each pathway (medicine, dentistry, and public health) will organize the service-learning project to engage their pathway students’ so each pathway service-learning project will not look the same but will achieve the same goal of engaging with community to address a health inequity.  Scholars will have opportunities for networking, and experiential learning activities like clinical simulations and clinical shadowing. Clinical shadowing experiences for scholars in the Medicine and Dentistry Pathways will be hosted by local providers. The Public Health Pathway will shadow sites with a variety of policy, research, direct service and advocacy professionals in the field. At the culmination of the summer, scholars will present their service-learning project in a poster session that invites health pathway leaders, UW Health Sciences Center leaders, and community members.

Clinical Experience: At this time, we plan to offer 3-4 clinical experiences for scholars in the Medicine and Dentistry Pathways. Public Health experiences in the field will vary and will not be clinically based, but will be with community partners working across the field of public health. Please note this component is limited to five percent of the program experience.

Health Profession Tracks Offered

• Medicine
• Dentistry
• Public Health

Finances

Meals: Scholars are provided a meal plan with housing, plus an additional food subsidy of $100 per week which will allow for flexibility in accessing varied dietary requirements.

Stipend: $1000.00 distributed in two installments during week 1 and week 3 of the program.

Travel: Travel assistance will be provided.

Living

Social Activities: Community-building is integral to SHPEP, and our teaching assistants will work with scholars to plan activities.