Extending the Medical Pipeline: An
Early Introduction to K-12 students
Elieth Martinez
Background
“ We conclude that, in the field of public education, the doctrine of ‘separate but
equal’ has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal”
–United States Supreme Court
My objectives:
-To return to my middle school, Monroe Middle School, to empower students
-To serve my community as an advocate for higher education
-To serve as a role model for future first-generation to college students
-To spark an interest in health care careers among students with low HS graduation rates
Background
• Nationwide efforts including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are in place to address
health disparities by increasing the insured, however, such efforts will increase demand for the number
of physicians caring for low-income, Medicaid-qualifying patient.
• Considering that black and Hispanic physicians disproportionately care for more minority patients,
uninsured, and Medicaid patients than their white colleagues, increasing the number of minorities
enrolled in medical school is imperative
• Seventy-six percent of Hispanic students and 68 percent of African-American students graduate
from high school. Those rates are about 10 to 15 percent less than the graduation rate of white students
• Students who do not complete high school are ineligible to attend four-year institution, therefore,
decreasing the numbers applying to college and graduate school, specifically medical school.
Objective
• Increase and evaluate interest in a health professional careers including medicine using
organ modules, workshops, and mentorship
• Evaluate and increase higher education knowledge by using workshops on Scholarships,
Mentorship, Colleges
• Initiate community partnership between middle school and pre-med and medical students
from racial and ethnic background to build trusting mentorship relationship
Results
Approximately 120 middle school and high school students participated in the program.
• 19% of students were English learners,
• 94% were eligible for free/reduced priced lunch, and
• 11% had special education within the past two years.
• Parent demographic included: 40% of parents did not graduate from high school, 33% had a
high school education, and 20% had some college.
• The student racial and ethnic composition consist of 67% Hispanic/Latino and 31% African
American.
• Approximately 90% of students had never set foot in a college campus including community
college and four year education.
Results
• Approximately 80% of the students would be the first in their family to attend college
and a similar percentage did not know anyone who has ever attended college.
• None of the students have ever encountered a health professional outside of a doctor’s
visit.
• Compared to pre and post survey, there was a 45% increase in interest in the fields of
medicine, nursing, and teaching. There was a 60% increase in content knowledge on
cardiac and pulmonary anatomy and physiology.
• Compared to pre and post survey, 80% of students understood different educational
tracks to get to enter the medical field including four year colleges, Cal State colleges,
and community colleges.
Conclusion
• By increasing early exposure and
intervention for at risk students
attending low income schools in urban
underserved areas, the proportion of
college graduates will increase and
therefore increase the percentage of
minority students applying to medical
school
• Increasing the pool of qualified
applicants can only be achieved with
supporting mentorship and early
outreach programs during primary and
secondary education
• Without addressing disparities in
education, health disparities will
continue to persist
Student
Reflections
“I was already interested in sciences and medicine, but now I find it to be
even more fascinating”
“I am grateful for their visit and would hope we could have more like
them in the future”
“To me, it was a learning experience, and makes me have thoughts
about becoming a doctor or something in the field”
“I learned how to do CPR and save someone’s life, it was a great
experience”
“I personally found their lessons to be intriguing and inspiring. It made
me consider actually going to medical school”
Acknowledgements
Funders
National Medical Fellowships
The California Wellness Foundation
Schools
Monroe Middle School
View Park Preparatory High School
Volunteers
Guadalupe Gomez, Centers for Disease Control Employee and Monroe Middle School Alumni
Ronald Gomez, Teacher with LAUSD and Monroe Middle School Alumni
Lydiesther Martinez, Medical Student at University of Illinois Chicago and Monroe Middle School Alumni
Ali Saadi, Medical Student at UC San Francisco