Name
Creating Dynamic Prehealth Programs: Lessons from the Johns Hopkins Underserved in the Medical Professions Program (JUMP)
Date
Thursday, October 3, 2024
Time
1:00 PM - 1:40 PM (EDT)
Authors

Deidre Campbell, Johns Hopkins University
Catrina Slater, Johns Hopkins University

Description

Description
Through our focus of developing an inclusive pathway program, we are pleased to present insights and strategies from the Johns Hopkins Underserved in the Medical Professions program (JUMP). This presentation will detail our efforts to create a dynamic and supportive prehealth pathway for undergraduate students from socioeconomically and culturally diverse communities. Our journey began with significant challenges in maintaining student engagement, which led us to reimagine our program structure and approach.

Program Introduction
JUMP is open to all JHU students and recent alums who are committed to pathways as health professionals who engage with culturally and economically diverse communities. Initially, we faced limited and sporadic engagement from our members, with many students disengaging and dropping off the prehealth pathway. This trend highlighted the need for a more structured and supportive approach to ensure sustained participation and advancement. To address these challenges, we restructured the JUMP membership into five key components: Prehealth progression profile tracking, immersive experiences, leadership and community engagement, learning and skill development, and academic testing and application support. This new structure allowed us to collect detailed student data and tailor our interventions to meet the specific needs of our members. By aligning membership requirements with the expectations of various health professional programs, we ensured that our students received relevant and comprehensive support. We built robust partnerships with community organizations, healthcare institutions, and academic departments, providing our members with a wealth of experiential learning opportunities. These collaborations not only enhanced the practical skills of our students but also increased their exposure to the healthcare field. Importantly, we identified low-cost strategies to make these opportunities accessible, ensuring that financial barriers did not impede participation.

Relevance to ASPBP
We aim to share our success enhancing engagement and retention in prehealth pathways for JHU undergraduates from culturally and economically diverse populations.

Target Population
Understanding the unique challenges faced by JUMP members, we developed tailored programming to address their specific needs. This included targeted workshops, community building sessions, and informational drop-ins designed to demystify the health professional track and provide personalized guidance. By fostering a community where students felt supported and valued, we significantly enhanced their sense of belonging and identity within the program.

Lessons Learned
The restructured membership model and targeted interventions led to remarkable outcomes. Over nine months, student engagement increased to 225%, with a corresponding rise in the sense of belonging and identity within JUMP. Participation in our informational drop-in sessions indicated a higher level of proactive engagement and interest. These metrics reflect not only improved retention but also a thriving community where students are actively advancing on their prehealth journey. The lessons learned from the JUMP program offer valuable insights into creating dynamic and inclusive prehealth pathways. By reimagining membership structures, fostering community partnerships, and delivering tailored support, educational institutions can significantly enhance the engagement and success of their students.

Presentation Topic(s)
Curriculum
Presentation Tag(s)
Pre-Med, Pre-Matriculation, Undergraduate Students