Applications now open for Prospect: A paid summer medical student research fellowship in urology

"We are hoping that more URiM medical students choose urology as a career,” said Dr. McIntire.

Applications are now open for Prospect, a 14-week summer clinical research program for first-year underrepresented in medicine (URiM) medical students interested in pursuing urology as a career.¹ The goal of the program is to increase the number of URiM medical students entering urology by offering mentorship, match coaching, and a clinical research opportunity.

“According to a recent American Urological Association (AUA) census survey, only 2% Black, 4% Latin X, and less than 1% Native American [persons] represent the urology workforce. Prospect and the North Central Section (NCS) have partnered to create a unique opportunity to expose, engage, and mentor URiM medical students within the AUA geographic boundaries. We are hoping that more URiM medical students choose urology as a career,” said Linda L. McIntire, MD, the co-creator of Prospect and president of the R. Frank Jones Urological Society.

The 14-week program will extend from Memorial Day to Labor Day for medical students between their first and second year, and it will be composed of 2 components that will run concurrently.

The first component is a 14-week webinar lecture series, which will include weekly discussions on topics within “Basic Urology” and the “Art of Scientific Investigation.” All medical student applicants are invited to attend the virtual lecture series portion of the program.

The second component is an 8-week onsite clinical research fellowship at a participating urology program. Participating programs for the fellowship include the University of Michigan, Henry Ford Hospital, The Ohio State University, and Cleveland Clinic Glickman Urological Institute. Four medical students will be chosen to participate in this component of the program, and they will be given flexibility depending on the dates of their summer break.

While onsite conducting research, selected participants will also be encouraged to participate in departmental education conferences and other activities at their respective program location. In the autumn following the program, those selected will have an all-expense paid trip to the next North Central Section of the American Urological Association (NCSAUA) Annual Meeting to present their research. Students will also receive a $5000 stipend following successful completion of the program to cover living expenses incurred while conducting research.

The deadline to apply for the program is January 16, 2023. All URiM medical students from accredited medical and osteopathic medical schools within the geographic boundaries of the AUA may apply. URiM medical students include members of racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in the medical profession relative to their numbers in the general population, including Black, Latin X, Native American, and Native Alaskan persons.

To be eligible for the program, applicants must be in good standing at their home program and have a letter of support from their home institution. Applicants will be asked to state their preference for program, although first preference may not be guaranteed. Decisions will be announced in mid-February 2023.

For more information on the program and how to apply, go to: https://ncsaua.org/education/prospect.aspx

Reference

1. Prospect clinical research for URiM medical students. North Central Section of the American Urological Association. https://ncsaua.org/education/prospect.aspx