Diversity Elective Scholarship Program

Background:

The medical field has always benefited tremendously from the diversity of its contributors. At Henry Ford we believe in, and are dedicated to, ensuring our diverse patient population is served by physicians from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. This commitment to diversity strengthens our community and ensures delivery of the highest quality patient care. The Department of Ophthalmology at Henry Ford aims to foster the education and inclusion of physicians from groups represented in our patient base.

To enrich a diverse healthcare workforce, our department has created a Diversity Elective Scholarship Program (DESP) which is focused on third and fourth year medical students who are underrepresented in ophthalmology to participate in a four-week clinical rotation to learn Ophthalmology skills from dedicated educators and enriching patient care experiences. Students also gain firsthand experience of what it is like to be a resident at Henry Ford and immerse in our residency culture, our hospital, and our city.

We are pleased to offer a diversity elective scholarship ($2,000) annually, which will allow students the opportunity to experience training at Henry Ford. In addition to the daily didactic sessions, medical students interested in Ophthalmology will have the opportunity to get hands-on exposure in the emergency/walk-in Ophthalmology clinic, work with residents in subspecialty clinics and in the OR, learn microsurgery skills in our wet lab, and be introduced to the surgical simulator.

Specific Goals:

• Expose third and fourth year medical students who are underrepresented in medicine to an academic environment in Detroit
• Promote student interest in applying to the HFH and other ophthalmology training programs
• Contribute to the positive word-of-mouth reputation associated with HFH to continue to attract talented and diverse students

Selection of Applicants:

• Academic achievement (as indicated by transcripts, letter of recommendation, etc.)
• Leadership experience
• Interest in pursuing an academic ophthalmology career
• Commitment to serving underserved populations

Scholarship Details:

The scholarship program provides $2,000 for the recipient to be used for travel, lodging, and other expenses associated with participating in the clerkship. .

We encourage applications from underrepresented in medicine (URiM) students, including those who are Black, Hispanic, and/or Native American (American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian). We share in the efforts that the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) endorse through the Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring program.

How to Apply:

Applicants must be currently enrolled in a Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) accredited medical school and complete the Visiting Student Application Service (VSAS) through the Henry Ford GME website. Once accepted for a rotation, please email Toni Haddad, residency program coordinator, at thaddad1@hfhs.org with your interest in applying for the scholarship. Documents needed for review will be an updated CV, letter of recommendation, and a statement of interest for seeking training in Detroit. If the SF Match application portal is open, a SF Match application can satisfy all needed information. Of note, acceptance of a scholarship and subsequent rotation at Henry Ford does not guarantee a formal interview opportunity for residency recruitment.