OHACE
Student Support
Explore Student Support
Cultivating a Supportive Environment
At Penn State College of Medicine, our goal is to cultivate a robust and diverse pipeline of future physicians, scientists, researchers and policymakers by providing comprehensive training, mentorship and educational opportunities in and out of the classroom. We promote a respectful, supportive environment where everyone can experience a strong sense of belonging.
MENTOR - Mentorship for Engagement, Networking, Transformation, Outreach and Resilience Program
The MENTOR program pairs medical, physician assistant and graduate students with faculty mentors. Students have the opportunity to learn from mentors, understand future challenges, make connections and network, secure opportunities, and accomplish goals. Mentors share their real-word tips and advice to help students succeed. The program also includes group events for learning and networking. These events strength the relationship among mentors, mentees, and peers. The events also enhance the educational experience and foster a sense of belonging.
Scholarships
Penn State College of Medicine is committed to making medical education accessible to all qualified students. Donors have established 15 new scholarships and strengthen two already-existing funds to support students whose gender, race, ethnic, cultural and/or national background contribute to the diversity of the student body.
Pictured: The estate of Dr. Alphonse E. Leure-duPree, former associate dean for academic achievement, has endowed a $1 million scholarship for students whose gender, race, ethnic, cultural and/or national background contribute to the diversity of the Penn State community.
Prospective Students
Building Strong Pathways
The Office of Health Advancement and Community Engagement offers robust outreach programs to provide career exposure opportunities and pathways into careers in medicine, research, and other fields. Through networking, hands-on experiences, and immersion in the College of Medicine and Penn State Health, prospective learners and workforce members have a chance to get a feel for what life is like in an academic healthcare institution.
Please contact program director Sonnya Nieves at snieves@pennstatehealth.psu.edu with questions about any of the programs listed below.
High School Programs
Partnership with Milton Hershey School
Penn State College of Medicine and Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center partners with the Milton Hershey School to offer their students opportunities to explore and shadow careers in healthcare, medicine and research.
PULSE
This 12-week program is for high school students interested in medical and research fields and includes lectures, problem-based learning modules, and mentorship with current medical student trainees.
Science of Surgery Camp
A weeklong summer day camp for students from communities in the greater Hershey/Harrisburg area who will be entering grades 10-12. Led by a Penn State Health surgeon, Dr. Amanda Cooper, and hosted at Penn State Harrisburg, this camp provides opportunities to network with peers from other schools, meet and receive guidance from faculty and students from Penn State College of Medicine, and visit the Hershey campus for educational and hands-on activities. Application opens in March/April, and camp is typically held in July.
Healthcare Career Exploration Program
This semester-long program is offered through Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and the College of Medicine, in conjunction with local schools: Bishop McDevitt, Central Dauphin, CD East, Derry Township, Lower Dauphin, Milton Hershey School, and Palmyra. Juniors from these schools can get more information from their school co-op coordinator or school counselor. Because this program involves daily travel to and from the Hershey campus, credit toward graduation, and formal partnership agreements, we cannot accept students from other schools at this time.
College Programs
Promoting Research in Science and Medicine (PRISM)
A year-long program for students who have completed two years of college. The focus in the fall is application preparation, with guidance from College of Medicine students during virtual sessions. At the start of the spring semester, participants begin to develop a research project, which is presented at the culminating visit to the College of Medicine.
Millennium Scholars
This is a program at Penn State University Park supporting students from various backgrounds and experiences who are on the pre-med and/or pre-research track. Students in the cohort make a trip to the College of Medicine for a tour, hands-on experiences, and networking with admissions staff, faculty and trainees.
Student National Medical Association
The campus chapter of Student National Medical Association (SNMA) is paired with Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, and connected with Dickinson College and Franklin & Marshall College, for mentorship opportunities and educational experiences at the College of Medicine.
Summer Undergraduate Research Internship
SURIP is open to students who have completed at least two years of college and are interested in pursuing careers in biological sciences, geared toward students considering PhD programs.
Graduate, Physician Assistant, Residency and Fellowship Programs
In addition to the MD program, Penn State College of Medicine offers advanced degrees in biomedical and basic sciences, a physician assistant program and numerous residency and fellowship programs.
Trailblazer Talent Pathway Program (T2P2)
T2P2 is a workforce development initiative to support growth in the workforce, as well as ofer professional development and mentorship opportunities. The program aims to retain talented staff, increase a sense of belonging from the onset of employment through cohort engagement, and provide training and support to managers who oversee participating staff.
Phase 1 – Two pilot cohorts of recently hired staff participating in the T2P2 curriculum will provide feedback on what new employees need to be successful.
Phase 2 – We will work in tandem with our Human Resources department to support recruitment of qualified individuals from the greater Harrisburg/Hershey area to fill open positions. Relationships with key community stakeholders will provide the necessary channels to reach prospective employees: Milton Hershey School, Catherine Hershey School, Harrisburg Area Community College and Penn State Harrisburg, as a start. These new hires will immediately become part of the next cohort of Trailblazers, with opportunities for networking and mentorship from Phase 1 participants.
Phase 3 – Recruitment will expand to regional and national institutions, with funding that can subsidize relocation expenses, housing, and other important supports.
Support Recruitment Initiatives
Faculty, Staff and Trainees from Penn State Health and College of Medicine
Your support makes all the difference! There are many ways to support our programs, from speaking engagements and seminars to hosting lab tours and clinic shadowing opportunities.
Giving
If you wish to make a financial contribution to support pipeline programs please email Tiffany Brandt-Thomas. You may also make an impact by supporting students through our Educational Equity scholarships.