Early Introduction to Health Careers II is the WMU Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine’s first-ever pipeline program. The goal of the program is to develop an interest in biomedical science and health careers among underrepresented and disadvantaged high school sophomores and juniors from the Kalamazoo Public School district. The program is designed to improve science content comprehension and acquisition of problem solving and critical thinking skills, and enhance student success in higher education attainment.

In the 2015–16 school year, approximately 25 KPS students participated in a monthly Saturday Science Academy at the School of Medicine. Participants heard presentations from, and connected with, Kalamazoo area healthcare professionals representing a wide array of careers and specialties. Students and their parents received coaching on study skills, financial preparation for college, and the finer details of utilizing their Kalamazoo Promise scholarship.

In the summer, the medical school partnered with Kalamazoo College to provide the high school students with an intensive summer camp experience. Students spent one week gaining laboratory and research experience in the anatomy lab at K-College, and another at the medical school with med-student mentors. At the medical school, students developed clinical skills such as taking heart rate and blood pressure, and conducted research to develop and present case study posters on the final day of camp.

The program is now in its second year and has expanded to eight Saturday sessions and increased enrollment to now serve 52 sophomores from the Kalamazoo Public School District.

For more information, please visit www.med.wmich.edu/news-and-events/news/pipeline-program-exposes-high-school-students-health-careers