Goals

• Increase the number of students, faculty and staff who are underrepresented in medicine (UIM) at the SIU School of Medicine
• Assess UIM students' progress and provide appropriate interventions as necessary.
• Increase the success of students taking School of Medicine and NBME exams.
• Make resources available to students to assure successful matriculation and graduation from the SIU School of Medicine.

Services

• Recruitment efforts and retention strategies for current UIM students, faculty and staff.
• Advocacy for UIM students.
• Regularly scheduled advisement meetings with UIM students
• Faculty sponsorship of UIM student associations.
• Networking opportunities with local UIM physicians, community leaders and School of Medicine minority alums.
• Small group gatherings to acquaint students with the School of Medicine and to help develop coping strategies.
• Workshops to assist with successful matriculation and "real life" skills.
• Tutorial assistance.
• A resource library that offers materials to assist academic preparation.
• Counseling for academic and personal concerns.
• Community resource information as needed.
• Coordinated programs, training sessions and events that emphasize cultural diversity and culturally competent health care delivery.