Medical Education and Research

CMCA Summer Health Services Research Program for First-Year MSSM Medical Students Underrepresented in Medicine

The Center for Multicultural and Community Affairs (CMCA) Summer Health Services Research Program was established to provide mentored summer research opportunities for two first-year Mount Sinai School of Medicine medical students from groups underrepresented in medicine through our Summer Health Services Research program. Students who are interested in gaining tangible skills, training, and experience in the basic concepts of clinical research and health services research with a focus on disparities in health particularly among disadvantaged and underserved populations are encouraged to apply (see how to apply below).

Opportunities for involvement in research focused on health disparities are both broad and diverse and are made available through CMCA's collaboration with the Mount Sinai Medical Student Research Office, the Department of Health Policy (Exceed/EXPORT Health Disparities project), the Department of Pediatrics, the Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, and as well as other MSSM affiliates in East Harlem and elsewhere in New York City. Past research projects and studies have focused on chronic disease care and management including hypertension, early-stage breast cancer, (recurrent) stroke, diabetes, asthma, and other conditions such as premature infant births.

Each year, two (2) URM MSSM medical students will receive an stipend of $3,000 to participate in a mentored service or research project. Projects may be proposed for any geographic or non-geographic community. Projects will be supported eight weeks during the summer months. Project reports of either qualitative or quantitative results will be presented at the project conclusion, and presentations may occur in several venues, including CMCA Journal Club, CMCA Community Health Symposium, and Medical Student Research Day. CMCA will help support the submission of abstracts of awardees to national and international societies’ annual meetings.

CMCA will also assist in recruiting program mentors.

Goal

To establish an award program that provides first-year URM medical students mentored, self-initiated projects, which targets a unique question in health outcomes disparities and minority health.

Objectives

1. To develop and support URM medical student interest in a broad array of racial and ethnic disparities in health.
2. To increase knowledge/awareness of issues related to minority, disadvantaged, and underserved population in the context of their communities within the United States and abroad.
3. To develop ongoing mentorship relationships for students with mentors from CMCA partners and affiliates.

Program Benefits

Benefits of participation in the CMCA Summer Health Services Research program include, but are not limited to:

• Stipend of $3,000 for eight weeks
• Mentorship with a faculty member
• Work on a focused research project for eight weeks
• Present research project at the CMCA Journal Club and at Research Day sponsored by the Medical Student Research Office
• Opportunities to network with faculty members from groups underrepresented in medicine
• Participate in professional development workshops
• Access to professional and technical resources offered by the Center for Multicultural and Community Affairs

Application Process

1. Select a research project profile or mentor of interest. Applicants are encouraged to meet with the mentor of interest to assess feasibility of participation and obtain a commitment from the mentor.
   • Search the Research and Mentor Database developed by the MSSM Medical Student Research Office for possible mentors and research project ideas at: http://fusion.mssm.edu/osro/Research/Search.CFM
   • Review the Department of Pediatrics Research and Mentor List
2. Meet with identified mentor to develop a proposed research plan to submit with application.
3. Please download all application materials.
4. Complete and submit general application and supporting documents. Please make sure all required items are submitted either electronically or by mail to the address below.

Download Forms

• CMCA SHSR Program Application Form

Application Deadline

On or before March 15

Mailing Address

Ann-Gel S. Palermo, M.P.H.
Associate Director of Operations
Center for Multicultural and Community Affairs
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
One Gustave L. Levy Place
Box 1035
New York, NY 10029
Tel: (212) 241-8886
Fax: (212) 241-3594
E-mail: ann-gel.palermo@mssm.edu

2006 Summer Health Services Research Scholars

2005 Summer Health Services Research Scholars

2004 Summer Health Services Research Scholars

2003 Summer Health Services Research Scholars

All Programs

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