Programs

Urban Medicine (UMed) Program

University of Illinois College of Medicine

The Urban Medicine (UMed) Program at the University of Illinois College of Medicine is a 4-year long longitudinal, special curricular program for medical students interested in one day working in underserved communities and in addressing health disparities. The mission of UMed is to "train a workforce of lifelong physician-leaders who are committed to partnering with local organizations to address health disparities by promoting justice in systematically oppressed communities through service learning and advocacy.” Students work with select community organizations to carry out health education, research, and pipeline services, depending on the needs of the organization and community. Students in UMed receive specialized training in cultural competency, trauma-informed care, program design and implementation, health literacy, policy and advocacy, and more.

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Program Components

Primary Areas of Focus
  • Other (please describe):
Desired Outcomes

The Urban Medicine Program’s vision is to create a workforce of physicians that... 1. Reflects the socio-economic diversity and racial makeup of the United States (Black, Native American & Indigenous, Latinx); 2. Responds to calls for action and advocacy on behalf of, and in partnership with, patients and communities; 3. Promotes health equity through a transformational practice of medicine and public health founded in social justice; 4. Works to dismantle interlocking systems of oppression, such as white supremacy, structural racism, sexism, homophobia, mass incarceration and police brutality; 5. Builds partnerships of mutual trust, understanding, and support with the communities that we live in and engage with; 6. Upholds a culture of accountability toward patient advocacy and health justice within the medical profession.

Program Location

Settings: In-person

In-person location: Chicagoland area; Peoria

Timing

Duration: 4 years

Time periods: None, None, Weekends, None

Program Components
  • Academic instruction (e.g. coursework)
    Students participate in 8-12 specialized seminars per year during their first and second years of medical school, followed by an online policy and advocacy module during their third year, and finally a week-long specialized Policy and Advocacy Forum during their fourth year.
  • Health career exploration (e.g. job shadowing, career fairs)
    Students receive exposure and opportunities for networking with a diverse group of individuals from several disciplines via seminars, internships, and through their longitudinal community rotations.
  • Mentoring (e.g. pairing with current health profession student)
    UMed has a physician advisor that provides mentorship as needed, in additional to mentorship from community partners and others affiliated with UMed.
  • Networking (with others who have similar health career interests)
    UMed provides opportunities to meet professionals from medicine and other disciplines largely through seminars, and also creates opportunities for students to network with alumni of the UMed program.
  • Professional skills development (e.g. teamwork, ethical conduct)
  • Research experience (e.g. summer program)
    Select longitudinal community rotations have a research component, and UMed leadership provides ample opportunity for self designed electives which allow for students to create their own research project.

Program Information

Education Levels
Health Professions
Limit on Number of Participants

Up to 18 students at the Chicago campus, and 4 students at the Peoria campus, are selected each year from a pool of over 200 competitive applicants to join the UMed program.

Program Sustainability

Affiliated Programs

Participation in UMed is contingent on acceptance to the University of Illinois College of Medicine Chicago or Peoria campuses. Coursework in UMed begins the first year of medical school and completes in the student's last year of medical school.

Affiliated Organizations and Networks

Illinois AHEC, HCOE, Young Doctor's Club, Deborah's Place, CommunityHealth, UIC College of Nursing

Eligibility Criteria and How to Apply

Apply here
Required Application Documents

Program Costs

There are no additional expenses to participate in UMed outside of UICOM's regular tuition and fees.

Contact Information

Joanna Michel, PhD, UMed Program Director
Email: nwaltr2@uic.edu

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