Students Named to SIU Med School-Springfield Schools Program

Ten ninth-grade students in Springfield have been selected for a program to encourage local high school students interested in becoming physicians. Called the Physician Pipeline Preparatory Program or P4, the program is a partnership between Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and the Springfield Public Schools (SPS). 

“The Pipeline is in its fourth year, and our first group of students will graduate high school next June,” said Dr. Wesley McNeese, executive assistant to the dean for diversity, multicultural and minority affairs at SIU. “I am very pleased at the success of this program and look forward to giving more Springfield students a close look at medical education, so they can make good decisions about their careers.”

The freshman students were selected by a committee with members from both partners. They submitted letters of recommendation, a personal statement and a summary of volunteer, school and community activities, all of which needed to reflect superior academic performance, high levels of motivation and a sincere interest in pursuing medical careers. Five are minority students.

“The P4 program exemplifies the core of our mission at Springfield Public Schools, which is to provide our students with rigorous, life-changing experiences that will open the door to opportunities they perhaps may have never considered before,” said Dr. Walter Milton Jr., superintendent, Springfield Public Schools. “I want to thank SIU for its commitment to this partnership and for giving our students this huge academic and experiential advantage.”

The P4 modules began this week and run through Nov. 15 as well as next winter and summer, Feb. 2 - 14 and June 24 - 27. The sessions will be held after school for three hours. The curriculum for the pilot program was developed by faculty and staff from both Springfield Schools and the SIU medical school. The P4 components for the after-school program include participation in medical school style curriculum; introduction to problem based learning (PBL); tours and shadowing, and interactions with SIU students and faculty.

The students selected, their parents and high schools are: 

Jasmine Broida, daughter of Aaron and Carrie Broida, Lamphier High School
Cyann Dent, daughter of Chandra Pierson, Southeast High School
Ejehi Erewele, daughter of Kenneth and Lara Erewele, Springfield High School
Dalia Hassan, daughter of Saber Hassan and Soad Soliman, Springfield High School
Mycheala McCreary, daughter of Mike and Diane McCreary, Southeast High School
John Padanilam, son of Basil Padanilam and Anne Thomas, Springfield High School
Marina Rosebrook, daughter of Carrie Bonansinga, Southeast High School
Drew Samuelson, son of Eric Samuelson and Lynn-Haviland-Samuelson, Springfield High School
Keyera Smith, daughter of Melissa Glenn, Springfield High School
Briley Tanner, daughter of Melisa Fraase, Springfield High School

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