Opportunities for Minorities in Medicine

Xavier University has a commitment to increasing the number of minority students in professional health care careers. You will find that there are many resources available to you at Xavier during your undergraduate career as you prepare for a competitive application to the professional health schools of your choice. The Director of Pre-Professional Health Advising, Mrs. Kara Rettig-Pfingstag, and the faculty on the Xavier Health Sciences Committee are available to you for pre-med advising and general guidance towards your academic and career goals in medicine. There are great resources available for minorities interested in medicine through the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC). Programs such as their Minority Medical Education Program (MMEP), Career Awareness Workshops, links to professional organizations of minority groups in medicine for mentoring opportunities, and the financial aid options and scholarships available to minorities in medicine are extremely helpful and comprehensive.

• See also:
  • Dentistry Information for Minorities from the ADEA

Helpful Hints

Here are some helpful hints for minorities (and all other students) interested in a professional health care careers:

1. Meet often with the Director of Pre-Professional Health Advising. She is supportive, knowledgeable and committed to helping you achieve your goals.
2. All students are encouraged to visit and become acquainted with Xavier's Learning Assistance Center.
   1. Needing extra tutoring help for your classes and/or guidance on improving your study skills is NOT an indication of failure or that you don't belong in college!
   2. Nearly every student needs academic help at some point in their college career. It's best if you realize you need academic help as early as possible and then promptly seek out assistance before it's too late. Faculty and staff at Xavier are here to help you achieve your goals.
3. Get to know your professors. Visit them during their posted office hours when you have questions about assignments or if you want to talk about the things you are learning in their class. Remember, professors are people too and would like to get the chance to know you and what you are learning (or not learning) in their classroom.
4. Read, Read, Read! Work on building your vocabulary and developing good problem solving skills. Every pre-med student could benefit from expanding their vocabulary and reading about the issues and topics within the medical field. Click here to see some reading suggestions.
5. It's smart to keep your parents "in the loop." Tell them about the pre-med preparation you are doing here at Xavier and share your resources with them, such as this web site and the guide, "Preparing for the Health Professions: A Four Year Guide. If they have questions, they can contact the Director of Pre-Professional Health Advising.