Programs

P4 Physician Preparatory Pipeline Program

SIU School of Medicine

P4 is a four-year, after-school program featuring two, 2-week modules of study during the academic year. It recruits a diverse group of students who want to become physicians and provides support, leadership opportunities and a variety of hands-on experiences to assist them in pursuing this career goal. P4 students are expected to remain in the program throughout their high school education.

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Program Components

Primary Areas of Focus
  • Recruitment (i.e. increasing awareness of and/or stimulating interest in health profession careers and degree programs
  • Admissions (assistance with application process for health profession degree programs)
  • Academic preparation (e.g., increasing STEM knowledge
  • Retention or completion of health professions degree programs (support for those currently enrolled)
Desired Outcomes

Students enter P4 when they are high school freshmen and continue through their senior year. This four-year experience familiarizes them with medical school coursework, admissions processes, test-taking skills, critical thinking and specialty training.

Program Location

Settings: In-person

County: Sangamon County, IL

In-person location: SIU College of Medicine

Timing

Time periods: None, None

Program Components
  • Academic instruction (e.g. coursework)
  • Academic skills development (e.g. study skills, test-taking
  • Application guidance/support (e.g. standardized test prep)
  • Health career exploration (e.g. job shadowing, career fairs)
  • Mentoring (e.g. pairing with current health profession student)
  • Networking (with others who have similar health career interests)
  • Research experience (e.g. summer program)

Program Information

Education Levels
Health Professions

Program Sustainability

Affiliated Programs

SIU School of Medicine, Springfield Public School District 186, and the Sangamon County Medical Society

Eligibility Criteria and How to Apply

Eligibility Criteria
  • Academic
  • Underrepresented racial and/or ethnic background
    THE SELECTION COMMITTEE FAVORS APPLICANTS FROM UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS (African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Alaskan Natives and Pacific Islanders), as well as potential first-generation college students and those who might not otherwise be able to pursue premedical experiences.
  • Socio-economically disadvantaged
    The committee also gives consideration to students with a disadvantaged socioeconomic background or the potential to become a first-generation college graduate.
Required Application Documents

Contact Information

Lesley Barfielf-Robinson
Email: lbarfield@siumed.edu

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