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Advancing Health Equity Program

The University of South Alabama Department of Surgery is proud to offer the Advancing Health Equity Scholarship for visiting students to provide support for fourth-year medical students interested in participating in a four-week rotation at our academic medical center. The scholarship includes $1,500 stipend to help offset the cost of travel, housing, fees, and incidental expenses. It is available for eligible rising MS4 students with a demonstrated interest in serving underserved communities who wish to rotate as a visiting student with the General Surgery training program in the Department of Surgery at Â鶹´«Ã½. The award aims to increase the number of trainees with experiences living or working within health disparity communities in the General Surgery residency program at Â鶹´«Ã½ and in surgery as a whole.

Eligibility

  • Fourth-year medical student in good standing at an accredited U.S. allopathic/osteopathic medical school
  • Student must be able to describe their experiences living and/or working within health disparity (underserved) communities.
  • Students must have completed all core clerkships.
  • Students must have successfully passed USMLE Step 1.

Scholars Receive

  • $1,500 stipend toward travel, food and housing
  • Matched with a resident mentor
  • Matched with two faculty mentors: one within the AI of choice (Colorectal, GI Surgery, Surgical Critical Care) and Dr. Maryann Mbaka, assistant program director
  • One-on-one advisement with General Surgery Program Director Dr. Leander Grimm
  • Networking opportunities with faculty, residents and students interested in your success
  • Dinner with General Surgery residency leadership and select residents

Scholar Responsibilities and Rotation Details

  • One-month rotation on Colorectal Surgery, GI and Laparoscopic Surgery, or Surgical Critical Care at University Hospital
  • Attendance at weekly resident didactics
  • Attendance at weekly Grand Rounds
  • Visiting students will adhere to the appropriate Â鶹´«Ã½ Health and Whiddon College of Medicine COVID-19 safety protocols while participating in an elective.

How to Apply

Please send the following to Tyronda Rogers, General Surgery residency program coordinator, at tmrogers@health.southalabama.edu:

  • Personal statement (500 words max) — Tell us about yourself, delineate your interest in a career in general surgery, your interest in the University of South Alabama, and why you qualify for this scholarship.
  • Advancing Health Equity Scholarship Program Application Form [PDF]
  • CV
  • Letter of good standing from dean’s office
  • Standard required

Visiting students can begin an in-person away rotation no earlier than July 28, 2025, which corresponds with Block 2 of the AY 2025-2026 M4 academic calendar. Applications must be received by June 16, 2025. Awards will be made by June 30.