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Historically Black University in Louisiana
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OVERVIEW
The mission of the Dillard University Pre-Health Program is to provide a supportive and empowering environment for students to prepare for and pursue post-baccalaureate academic opportunities leading to placement in careers as health care professionals.
HOW WILL WE GET THERE?
The Pre-Health Program will facilitate the knowledge and resources to support students in the pre-health career decision-making process. Services are provided to students across academic disciplines with an expressed interest in the healthcare profession.
The goal is to prepare well-rounded students to pursue academic and career opportunities upon graduation.
Our approach requires individualized, timely assessments of students’ undergraduate academic progress toward their academic and professional goals.
Once students discover their passion for the health profession, we provide academic and professional guidance throughout each stage of the preparation and application processes to ensure students pursue the best pathway for their career goals.
Program Services
Student Expectations
Pre-Health students are expected to do the following:
Dillard University is a historically Black institution that cultivates leaders who live ethically, think and communicate precisely, and act courageously to make the world a better place.
PRE-HEALTH CAREER GUIDANCE
Most pre-health careers require graduate and/or professional school degrees. The Pre-Health Program provides support for students seeking entrance into programs such as (but not limited to) the following:
Below are a range of resources curated by the Pre-Health Career Program to support current and former Dillard University students with an interest in health careers. This list is fluid and will be updated as needed to reflect updated application deadlines and new resources.
Do you know of a health career-building resource that is not currently listed here? Please send a link to prehealth@dillard.edu so it can be added.
Do you have feedback on a resources that is listed here? Please email prehealth@dillard.edu and share your experience.
Health Related Community Service opportunities
Children’s Hospital has a diverse group of volunteers who selflessly devote thousands of hours each year to support the hospital staff and our patients and families. Whether playing with children during wait times or helping families find their way in the halls, the volunteers at Children’s Hospital make a difference providing a special human connection that often eases the stress for patients and families going through difficult times. Please note that volunteers can volunteer in clinical areas, but volunteering doesn’t provide an opportunity to shadow a physician, nurse or other health care provider.
Project Sunshine delivers the healing power of play to children with medical needs through trained and dedicated volunteers. For over 20 years, Project Sunshine volunteers have brought joy and play directly to pediatric patients through in-person programming with a network of hospitals and medical facility partners across the country
Jefferson Parish Medical Reserve Corps (JPMRC) is a volunteer program for individuals with medical and public health backgrounds to assist in a disaster. Volunteers have the opportunity to engage in annual community vaccination events, hurricane response including evacuations and sheltering, and preparedness activities.
The NOLA Ready Volunteer Corps helps build a culture of preparedness and resilience, supporting first responders, community partners, and residents in disaster response and recovery efforts. NOLA Ready Corps volunteers are part of a team working to meet residents’ needs before, during, and after emergencies. NOLA Ready Corps volunteers can receive training in hurricane preparedness, City-Assisted Evacuation, shelter operations, pet evacuation and sheltering, flood recovery, and more. The NOLA Ready Volunteer Corps is managed by the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.
New Orleans Medical Reserve Corps (NOMRC) is the medical and public health volunteer organization. The mission of NOMRC is to be a diverse group of committed volunteers with skills and expertise to supplement public health emergency preparedness and response in New Orleans. Volunteers receive training in First Aid/CPR, Psychological First Aid, vaccination outreach, meeting the needs of medically vulnerable populations, and more. NOMRC is managed by the New Orleans Health Department.
MCAT Prep support
Mentoring in Medicine exists to inspire and equip disadvantaged and low-income students to become health care professionals through academic enrichment, leadership development, civic engagement and mentoring programs and to engage, educate and empower students – from elementary to professional school – by providing resources, support and guidance to help them reach their true potential. MEDICAL PATHWAY PROGRAM (MPP) (Virtual) is a holistic medical school preparatory boot camp targets low-income students or students under-represented in medicine. (All are welcome to apply.) This rigorous 30-week program accelerates a candidate’s application to medical school by helping to increase his/her competitiveness through personal strategic planning sessions, MCAT prep, AAMC Preview Professional Readiness Exam information, application assistance, mock interviews, work with MIM coaches and much more!
The Michigan Health Sciences Summer Institute (MHSSI) is comprised of three academies that expose learners to careers in the health sciences, foster leadership development, enhance academic skills, and prepare them for admission to medical school. Our goal is to encourage personal and professional growth in students throughout the academic pipeline. The Career Development Academy (CDA) is designed to provide participants with an MCAT Prep Course as well as resources to prepare for submitting medical school applications. This program requires a GPA of 3.2 or higher.
Research opportunities
The Division of Laboratory Sciences (DLS) within the National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia offers multiple summer fellowship opportunities. DLS offers a stimulating research environment that enables summer fellows to gain practical experience in applied analytical chemistry and enhance their knowledge of public health.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the major operation components of the Department of Health and Human Services and works to protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. The Division of Laboratory Services (DLS) provides laboratory support that improves the detection, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of environmental, tobacco-related, nutritional, newborn, selected chronic and selected infectious diseases. DLS also works to improve the rapid and accurate detection of chemical threat agents, radiologic threat agents, and selected toxins. The Laboratory Sciences Fellowship Opportunity at CDC connects participants with laboratory teams to develop and apply analytical methods to characterize and quantify biochemical markers, including those in biologic specimens (such as serum or urine), that are relevant to disease and harmful exposures. Participants may gain experience in bench chemistry, using mass spectrometry, or working with biochemical markers. Selected candidates will be placed in one of seven branches within DLS (see website for branch information: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/dls/). They will gain hands-on experience using state-of-the-art laboratory instrumentation and automation equipment.
Fellowship, Learning and Summer Enrichment
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), and Novartis US Foundation are proud to present the Career Readiness and Mentoring program for talented students attending the identified 26 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) or Historically Black Medical Schools (HBMSs). The goal of the program is to guide, shape, and prepare the next generation of Black and African-American health care professionals and leaders. The program is open to full-time sophomores, juniors and seniors with a business, health or social work focus and a 3.0 GPA.
The CDC John R. Lewis Scholars Program provides undergraduate students from across the country the opportunity to explore public health through hands-on training, mentorship, and professional development. The CDC John R. Lewis Undergraduate Public Health Scholars Program introduces undergraduate (and recently graduated) students to topics in minority health and health equity and supports their career development. During their internships, participants work in a variety of public health settings including community organizations, health departments, university-based programs, and federal agencies. This program is part of CDC’s efforts to increase public health workforce diversity and advance health equity. CDC partnership institutions’ programs are listed below. Visit each web site to learn more and apply:
Summer Public Health Scholars Program – Columbia Public Health
Maternal Child Health Careers/Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement – Undergraduate Program (MCHC/RISE-UP)
Tribal Health Experiential Student Internship Seminar (THESIS) – Southern Plains Tribal Health Board,
Future Public Health Leaders Program (FPHLP) – University of Michigan School of Public Health | U-M School of Public Health (umich.edu)
Pitt Public Health Undergraduate Scholars Program – School of Public Health
UCLA Public Health Scholars
The Lewis Scholars’ Imhotep Project is an 11-week summer internship program designed to increase the knowledge and skills of underrepresented minority students in biostatistics, epidemiology, and occupational safety and health.
TCHOUP: The Careers in Healthcare Opportunity for Underrepresented Students in Pediatrics encourages students who are underrepresented in medicine to explore various career opportunities within pediatrics.
IMPRESS is a 6 week introduction to the medical professions rotation at Tulane University where students with underrepresented backgrounds in medicine have a chance to receive mentorship and tips centered around a career in medicine. Participants will also have exposure to several medical specialties and advance medical technologies. Applicants must be a freshman or sophomore currently enrolled in an accredited university or college, have a strong interest in pursuing a career in medicine, self-identify as being from an ethnic or racial background that is underrepresented in medicine or as LGBTQIA+, and be 18 or older.
The Research and Racial Equity (RARE) Summer Internship Program is an 8-week program with three goals: (1) Increasing diversity in public health research workforce, (2) fostering health equity in public health research and (3) providing public health research experience to those who have traditionally had limited access. Housed in NYU’s Center for Anti-racism, Social Justice, and Public Health (CASJPH), RARE will provide an immersive summer experience through research, community work experience, professional and educational workshops, and faculty and peer mentorship.
The Maternal and Child Health-Leadership Education, Advocacy, and Research Network (MCH-LEARN) is a 9-week paid summer program that continues through the following academic year with monthly meetings. This program provides undergraduate freshman and sophomore students, with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale from underrepresented populations who are interested in the maternal and child healthcare (MCH) field, a comprehensive, integrated learning experience. The overarching goal of MCH-LEARN is to increase the number of students from historically disadvantaged and/or underrepresented populations who enter graduate school in MCH fields.
Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) ten-week Summer Internship Program provides research training opportunities for top-tier students who have minimal exposure to industry research. This program enables students to gain research experience that enhances their preparation for careers in biomedical research and application to top graduate and professional programs. Applicants should have a 3.3 GPA and have a strong desire to pursue a career in a biomedical field.
The Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR-EIP) is a fully paid summer internship that provides undergraduates with training and mentoring in the principles underlying the conduct of research and prepares them to pursue competitive applications to PhD or MD-PhD programs. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA.
The SR-EIP offers closely mentored research experiences in the life and physical sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and the humanities at 20 research institutions across the country.
SR-EIP Participants…
Spend 8–10 weeks at a Leadership Alliance institution.
Receive a stipend, and travel and housing expenses from the research institution.
Work under the guidance of a faculty or research mentor.
Gain theoretical knowledge and practical training in academic research and scientific experimentation.
Make oral or poster presentations at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium.
Gain access to ongoing resources, mentoring, and professional networks to support your career path as a part of the Leadership Alliance community.
Receive professional development mentoring on applying to graduate programs and learn about research careers from alumni.
The Michigan Health Sciences Summer Institute (MHSSI) is comprised of three academies that expose learners to careers in the health sciences, foster leadership development, enhance academic skills, and prepare them for admission to medical school. Our goal is to encourage personal and professional growth in students throughout the academic pipeline, from high school through college. The Undergraduate Research Academy (URA) is designed to immerse students in a research experience and provide professional development opportunities. This program requires a 3.0 GPA.
Morehouse School of Medicine Summer Bridge(s) Graduate Pipeline Programs (June 10, 2024-July 12, 2024) The Office of Online Education and Expanded Programs offers a 5-week summer program built to expose motivated undergraduate juniors and seniors and post baccalaureates. They offer four tracks: Bridges to Biotechnology and Bioentrepreneurship, Bridge to Health Informatics, Bridge to Justice-Involved Care, and Bridge to Medical Cannabis Therapeutics with virtual learning formats and synchronous meetings. Participants who successfully complete this 5-week summer program will receive a stipend and guaranteed admission into the 14-month online Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI), the 1-year online Master of Science in Biotechnology (MSBT), the 1-year online Master of Science in Biotechnology with a concentration in Medical Cannabis Therapeutics (MSBT-MCT) program, and the 1-year Master of Administration in Justice-Involved Care (MAJIC) along with a scholarship.
The Public Health Laboratory Internship Program: APHL and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) partner to offer paid laboratory internships to train and prepare college students for careers at public health laboratories. The APHL-CDC Initiative places college students in public health laboratories to gain valuable early-career experience. Funded through the American Rescue Plan, interns join public health laboratory teams to make an impact on protecting the health of our communities. Interns assist laboratory professionals working on meaningful projects, like detecting genetic disorders in newborn babies, monitoring drinking water, tracking viruses carried by insects and testing soil for environmental toxins.
The Association of State Public Health Nutritionists Health Equity Fellowship Program was created to support the diversification of the public health and health-related workforce. ASPHN’s Health Equity Fellowship Program is designed for students enrolled in a public health program within federally designated minority-serving institutions (MSIs: Historical Black Colleges/Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Tribal Colleges and Universities) and underrepresented students enrolled in non-MSIs. The public health nutrition workforce, like many areas of health, needs assistance with diversification and the recruitment of a new generation of nutrition professionals. This 12-week fellowship was developed to support those efforts.
The National Environmental Public Health Internship Program (NEPHIP) is a 400-hour paid internship opportunity that links environmental health undergraduate and graduate students with funded internship placements at qualified state, tribal, local, and territorial (STLT) environmental public health agencies. This initiative supports building a qualified applicant pipeline to help meet current and future environmental health professional workforce needs and encourages environmental health students to consider careers in governmental environmental public health.
The Occupational Health Internship Program (OHIP) is a full time, paid summer internship designed to link the skills and interests of students with the needs of workers employed in an under-served or high hazard job. Teams of two interns are assigned to a union or worker organization where they receive supervision from a designated staff member and an academic mentor. OHIP has training sites across the country. Students are matched with projects based on specific language or technical skills, as well as their experience or interest in working with social justice organizations or unions. Typically a graduate student is paired with an undergraduate student. Most teams include students from different disciplines.
Educational Partnerships
Logan University 3+3 Program allows Dillard University students to complete three years at a participating undergraduate institution and then complete the first year’s coursework at Logan in the Doctor of Chiropractic program. Credits can then be transferred back to complete the undergraduate degree. This allows students to complete their first year of the DC program while completing their undergraduate degree and earn their Bachelor’s and Doctorate in 1 year less than the normal 7 years. Students must have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 for 90 credit hours at Dillard to be considered for admission.
AT Still University Still Scholars Early Acceptance Program is designed to provide admission opportunities to outstanding students who aspire to become osteopathic physicians who focus on whole person healthcare and community service without traditional MCAT requirements. Still Scholars are awarded a small academic scholarship for medical school upon entry. Students must be in the process of finishing their sophomore year and have a GPA of 3.4 cululative and science, with a B or above in all pre-requisite courses, 50 hours clinical experience, strong leadership experience and service to the underserved.
Xavier University College of Pharmacy dual degree program allows Dillard University students to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and a Doctor of Pharmacy. It requires three years of academic coursework at Dillard University with a 2.75 GPA for COP pre-requisite courses and a 2.75 GPA for math and science courses. A letter of interest must be submitted in a student’s first or second year of enrollment at Dillard University.
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine designates four (4) seats in each RUSVM semester class for eligible Dillard students during the admissions process. Students must meet several minimum requirements, including but not limited to at least a 3.0 GPA generally and in all pre-requisites for RUSVM and a score in the 20th percentile or better of the GRE.
Rush University Graduate College has preferential admission for up to four (4) qualified applicants (who have met admission requirements and excelled in STEM curricula and research) per fall term to a graduate program of study leading to the Master of Science in Biotechnology, Clinical Research and/or Integrated Biomedical Sciences.
Post baccalaureate Resources
Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) Postbaccalaureate Research InternShip & Mentoring (PRISM) Program is an intensive 2-year research and professional development experience at NIBR in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is dedicated to providing research training opportunities for highly talented students from historically underserved communities and increasing their competiveness for top-tier biomedical graduate degree programs.
NMF Health Equity Leaders Program was established in 2022 through the generous support of the Brave of Heart Fund and provides underrepresented in health care, medical, and allied health students with opportunities to explore health equity service, scholarship, leadership, and advocacy. The Health Equity Leaders Program provides $10,000 to 30 scholars and is open to second-, third-, and fourth-year medical (MD, MD/PhD, DO, DO/PhD), and graduate level physician assistant and nursing students who come from underrepresented backgrounds and have a demonstrated interest in primary care.
The WashU Neuroscience Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (Neuroprep) aims to enhance readiness for graduate studies in Neuroscience through a two-year paid experience in research and professional skills training. Recent or soon-to-be college graduates from underrepresented groups who haven’t had substantial laboratory research experience are invited to apply. All individuals selected as participants will apply to neuroscience doctoral degree programs (PhD) during the research education program.
The Tulane Master of Biomedical Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology degree is a two-semester non-thesis program. The program is primarily designed to enrich and improve academic credentials of graduates. Our distinctive program emphasizes student development in four areas (coursework, experiential learning, presentation skills, and personal growth), and allows students to broaden and strengthen their academic foundation for further intellectual development, such as gaining entrance into medical-, dental- or health profession-related schools.
The Dr. James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement (RISE) Fellowship includes a 6-month (part-time or full-time), 12-month full-time, or 9-week summer public health research experience for students currently enrolled full-time in a medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, or public health, allied health and social sciences graduate programs who are interested in conducting research in the areas of infectious diseases and/or health disparities. Fellows increase professional leadership skills and are supported to present their research at national meetings.
Med-School $$$
National Medical Fellowships (NMF) service-learning programs provide special opportunities for students to work hands-on to enhance health care delivery in underrepresented communities. These programs match students with mentors, often eminent NMF alumni, and focus on areas of critical clinical/public health need.
The Specialty Education Loan Repayment Program (SELRP) provides financial assistance to physicians in the form of a loan repayment to recent graduates of an accredited medical or osteopathic school and are currently enrolled or matched to a residency identified as a shortage by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The loan repayment is $40,000 a year with a maximum of $160,000. In return the recipient would agree to serve in a clinical practice at a VA facility for a period of 12 months for each $40,000 of loan repayment with a minimum of 24 months of obligated service.
Eligible Specialties:
The Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), one of the most comprehensive scholarships available in the healthcare field, can go a long way in helping pay for an advanced medical degree for current and future medical students. The Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) offers two-, three- and four-year military scholarships that can help cover civilian medical school tuition, pay for fee, and provide a monthly living stipend. The length of these scholarships can vary by Service branch. Compensation also includes a signing bonus under certain conditions. This scholarship is offered by the Army, Navy and Air Force, and the benefits are the same across all three Services.
Minority Health & Health EquityTraining Electives | Seminar Electives |
CPR | Racial Justice Seminar |
Seizure Recognition & First Aid Certification | Office of the Chaplain Program |
Safe Sleep Ambassador Certification | |
| Virtual Open House |
Minority Health & Health EquityTraining Electives | Seminar Electives |
| CPR | Racial Justice Seminar |
Seizure Recognition & First Aid Certification | Office of the Chaplain Program |
| Safe Sleep Ambassador Certification | |
| Virtual Open House |
Minority Health & Health EquityTraining Electives | Seminar Electives |
CPR | Racial Justice Seminar |
Seizure Recognition & First Aid Certification | Office of the Chaplain Program |
Safe Sleep Ambassador Certification | |
| Virtual Open House |
Minority Health & Health EquityTraining Electives | Seminar Electives |
CPR | Racial Justice Seminar |
Seizure Recognition & First Aid Certification | Office of the Chaplain Program |
Safe Sleep Ambassador Certification | |
| Virtual Open House |
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