Tulane Urology Purposeful Infrastructure Promoting Equality (PIPE) Scholar Program
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Introduction:
Enrollment and graduation of medical students from African American, Hispanic, Latino, and Native American communities, is extremely low. The percentage of urologists self-identifying under the afore-mentioned demographics and practicing in the United States is even lower. Unfortunately, the low representation of these physicians in the medical field is associated with worse outcomes for patients in these same demographic groups. "Racial distribution of urology workforce in United States in comparison to general population. Translational Andrology and Urology, 7(4), 526–534". https://doi.org/10.21037/tau.2018.05.16 Therefore, this program is intended to bring attention to the differences in health outcomes and build an empathetic and responsive population of doctors committed to improving the health across all communities and patient demographics.
PIPE Scholar Program:
This is an opportunity for students to join Tulane Urology for two months via the PIPE program, which is designed to integrate participants into ongoing laboratory and clinical research projects, therefore introducing participants to methods of research, providing participants with hands-on laboratory training, and familiarizing participants with the essential aspects of scientific writing, among other program components. In addition, this program will foster personal and professional development, provide career guidance, and demystify the application steps of admission to a medical school, be it Tulane University School of Medicine or elsewhere.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria:
Tulane University is an equal opportunity educator committed to providing an education and learning environment free of unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation. Eligibility and selection for participation in this program is not based on a student’s race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Coordinator Contact:
Demi Robert
Telephone: (504) 988 - 2794
Email: drobert@tulane.edu
Submission Deadline:
February 1, 2025
Application/Program Details:
Tulane Urology Purposeful Infrastructure Promoting Equality
(PIPE) Scholar Program
1. Only applications from students who have finished two years of college and who are interested in and focused on a possible medical career, regardless of their academic major or interest in the field of urology, will be considered.
Application Requirements:
i. Two Letters of Recommendation
ii. Personal Statement
iii. Completed Application
2. All students must comply with Tulane University standards, such as having vaccinations and Tulane IDs as well as following the policies and procedures in labs and medical facilities, and so forth (no exceptions).
*A maximum of two applicants will be chosen for the program.
*PIPE students will be limited to shadowing faculty in the urology clinic. Therefore, the students will not be participating in examinations or assisting with documentation, thus they will not have access to or utilizing medical records.
3. Applications will be forwarded to the coordinator and subsequently reviewed by the faculty. Depending on the strength of the application process, an in-person interview will be scheduled for these individuals. This process will adhere to the established protocol and recommendations of Tulane University or the Office of Graduate Medical Education (GME).
4. Expected start date: June 2025.
5. Duration: Two months during the summer.
i. This program is available the following year for repeat enrollment if the applicant is interested.
6. Students will be provided a curriculum to integrate into one of the following:
i. ongoing laboratory projects of Dr. Asim Abdel-Mageed and his team.
ii. ongoing clinical research projects of Dr. Surresh Sikka and his team.
7. Tulane’s Department of Urology will be paying for the two months of housing and parking as well as providing a stipend of $1,000 per month for two months.
