Early Introduction to Health Careers 2023-2024 Impact Report

Early Introduction to Health Careers

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year

ANNIVERSARY

2023-2024 IMPACT REPORT

Letter from the Associate Dean for Health Equity from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, underrepresented ethnic backgrounds and under resourced communities as a former pathway student myself. Pathway programs like ours continue to play a central role in enhancing the likelihood of success in future healthcare careers and STEM education.

Cheryl Dickson, MD, MPH Associate Dean for Health Equity I am proud to be celebrating the 10 th anniversary of the Early Introduction to Health Careers (EIH) Pathway Programs. It is hard to believe that we have been delivering the EIH programs for this many years already! In that time, we have continued to expand our reach by adding new programs such as EIH 1.5 for middle school students and our newest, the Science Research Enrichment Program for undergraduates.

I know how important pathway programs are in enriching the academic success for students, particularly students who come

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The highlight of our programs is the longitudinal nature. We reach students from elementary to middle to high school, and now undergraduates. Our programs help serve as a bridge and an important part of their success journey. Our programs are designed to introduce students to healthcare careers. We build awareness of possibilities and help them to realize their strengths and potential: At each level we support them with mentorship, knowledge, and study success strategies.

We started in 2014 with EIH 2.0 for high school students with Saturday Academies that focused on STEM with a healthcare lens.

Every year since, with the generous support of our funders, we have been able to expand the number of programs and outreach to more students.

In Schools for middle schoolers and increased the number of undergraduates in the Science Research Enrichment Program.

We are proud to have alumni in this program who have been in our other programs since 10 th grade. They continue to stay focused on medical school and science careers.

WMed students who have volunteered to work with these programs play a central role in enriching the experience of every student.

We have been able to achieve our goals of expansion and outreach with the generous support of our funders.

I wish to thank WMed leaders for their support, as well as our students and faculty who have volunteered their time and expertise.

I am grateful for the dedication and hard work of Candace Moore who manages all of our pathway programs.

I look forward to the next milestone year!

Over the past two years we have expanded our outreach programs to include STEM Days in partnership with Kalamazoo Public Schools at several elementary schools. We have also expanded our partnership with Communities

Early Introduction to Health Careers

A Decade of Excellence Tracing the success of our pathway programs from elementary to undergraduate education Empowering 1,478 Students across 10 Years

Impacting 12 Schools across Elementary, Middle, and High School

Ten-Year Overview: Pathway Program and Student Participation

EIH Level 1 (Elementary) 479 Young Minds Inspired EIH Level 1.5 (Middle School) + Summer Program 437 Future Leaders Nurtured EIH Level 2 (High School) + Summer Program 541 Students Equipped for Success Science Research Enrichment (Undergraduate) 21 Scholars Developed in 9 different University sites

“As the manager of our pathway programs, I believe these enriching STEM programs have expanded my understanding by exposing me to new knowledge. The students from the Kalamazoo County School District, medical students, community partners, faculty, and the supportive WMed team are the true heroes behind the success of these programs.”

– Candace Moore, MA Manager, Health Equity and Pathway Programs Office of Health Equity and Community Affairs

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Early Introduction to Health Careers Pathway Programs (EIH) programs help to promote Kalamazoo-area students’ success in higher education and increase graduation rates. Higher education leads to better employment opportunities for future careers and in particular, introducing students to different health careers that will make them more likely to choose a career in the field. Presently there are many gaps in healthcare-related jobs as persons have left the field or are not choosing health-related fields.

Programs like this serve to fill shortages presently seen throughout the U.S. Research also supports the need for diversity in healthcare to help reduce disparities.

The Early Introduction to Health Careers Pathway Programs (EIH) at WMed are a multi-pronged initiative to empower underrepresented elementary, middle, and high school students in Southwest Michigan and fuel their dreams of future careers in the biomedical science and healthcare fields.

We accept all applicants and encourage any persons with diverse life experiences to apply. WMed is committed to fostering a learning environment that values, welcomes, celebrates, and appreciates diversity and inclusiveness.

The EIH programs immerse students in a team-based learning environment to spur

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their knowledge about science through a healthcare lens. Students engage in hands-on, team-based lessons, activities, simulations, mentoring, and research facilitated by WMed students and faculty.

Our programs are designed to enhance students’ self-efficacy for future success in high school and higher education attainment by improving problem-solving and criticalthinking skills. Moreover, the students’ improved knowledge about health, the social determinants of health, and active citizenship through service learning with local organizations serves as a vehicle to reduce health disparities in our communities. These

EIH, which launched at WMed in 2014, is made possible through partnerships with Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, and Western Michigan University, and is supported by grants from our generous donors. The EIH program was created – and is currently led – by Dr. Cheryl Dickson, the medical school’s associate dean for Health Equity and Chief Diversity Officer.

Early Introduction to Health Careers

EIH 2.0: High School (est. 2014) Since 2014, we have experienced a 127.5% increase in the number of students from Kalamazoo County School districts in our EIH 2.0. The longitudinal initiative is WMed’s flagship program and is comprised of monthly Saturday Science academies held from October to May. EIH 2 focuses on health sciences, math, and development of critical thinking and problem solving for 10 th, 11th, and 12th grade students. The curriculum for the weekend science academies includes intentional, guided research, individual mentoring sessions, clinical and non-clinical speakers.

In 2023, funding from donors made it possible for this program to expand. In addition, 66 high school students were able to learn more about the human body, and receive mentorship from key leaders and medical students during and after the program. Students who successfully complete the program have the opportunity to participate in a two-week summer camp experience held jointly at Kalamazoo College and WMed. We have also developed a collaboration for this program with Stryker engineers and program managers in the summer. In addition to our program year, 24 students spend one week in the summer at WMed and one week at Kalamazoo College learning lab techniques, gross anatomy, team-based learning, Basic Life Savers, and student success strategies. Each student is awarded a $200 stipend for completing the two-week summer program. Students also spend a full day on a field trip at Stryker learning about the company’s mission and vision, high performing groups, design thinking, medical technology, and engineering.

During the summer, each student is trained and certified in CPR and First Aid. Having a Student Success Stragety Coordinator, has been very beneficial to WMed and the students. With the Coordinator role, we have extended recruitment efforts in Kalamazoo County school districts.

“I enjoyed learning about different careers, it helped a lot with choosing what I want to do.”

– High School Student

2023-2024 Impact Report

EIH 2.0 Program Enrollment, 2014- 2023

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EIH 1.5: Junior High (est. 2017)

EIH 1.0: Elementary (est. 2016)

In 2017, WMed launched EIH 1.5, a health career pathway program for middle school students. The program aims to improve student selfefficacy and develop intrinsic motivation to create and execute postsecondary education and career goals. It enhances science and math skills through engaging, hands-on STEM instruction and increases awareness of available healthcare and STEM careers. Additionally, the program boosts student leadership capacity through team building, mentoring, goal setting, public speaking, and fine-tuning soft skills.

The EIH 1 pathway program for fourth and fifth graders provides a novel program to facilitate academic success in math and science for students at an early age. The program aims to foster an interest in science and math, as well as improve proficiency in problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.

In 2022, we partnered with Communities in School which helped us increase our outreach to students at every middle school in the Kalamazoo Public School district which includes Milwood Magnet: A Center for Math, Science, and Technology, Linden Grove Middle School, Hillside Middle School, and Maple Street Magnet for the Arts.

As a highlight in 2023, continued funding from donors helped support 55 students from Northeastern Elementary School. Each student learned more about science and health careers and the human body from WMed students. Students received snacks and rode the bus to the W.E. Upjohn M.D. Campus for an annual field trip with teachers.

141.6% increase in the number of students over the past 10 years

EIH 1.5 Summer Program Enrollment, 2018- 2023 6

EIH 1.0 Program Enrollment, 2018- 2023 Early Introduction to Health Careers

STEM Day (est. 2023) In 2023, the two-hour STEM Day program funded by our donors, included five elementary schools in Kalamazoo County. Faculty, staff, and medical students volunteered as STEM educators, teaching various lessons at two elementary schools annually. The highlight of the STEM sessions included interactive science instruction designed to stimulate critical-thinking and problem-solving. The sessions featured career presentations from scientists and health professionals and hands-on simulation experiences.

Students and teachers were also invited to WMed for a half-day interactive science experience.

The program significantly increased exposure to STEM fields, engaging more students to consider these areas as potential career paths. Data gathered from teachers indicated that students exhibited excitement about health careers and an increased sense of self-efficacy in science and math. The program is believed to have positively influenced students’ confidence in their ability to succeed in school.

2023-2024 Impact Report

SCHOOL PARTICIPATION

In 2023

344 students participated

“The students biggest takeaway that day was the different activities involved in the medical field.”

– STEM Day Educator

Woodward School for Technology and Research: The first school to participate, inviting 60 fourth and fifth graders to explore multiple STEM stations. Students engaged in hands-on simulations with orthopaedic, neurology, cardiac, and healthcare career props.

Additionally, 40 students took a field trip to WMed in June 2023.

Parchment North Elementary School: Hosted more than 120 fifth grade students who participated in the STEM Day program.

Prairie Ridge Elementary School: Engaged over 80 fourth grade students in the two-hour STEM Day program.

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Science Research Enrichment Program est. 2022 Donor support helps to fund rising second-year, third-year and senioryear college students interested in participating in direct hands-on laboratory research experience during an eight-week longitudinal program at WMed. Four former EIH2 students participated in the summer of 2023 and scientists from WMed mentored seven undergraduate students. The students attend lectures on various topics, such as lab techniques, public health, WMed admissions, science presentations, and biostatics taught by WMed faculty.

The students had the opportunity to work in WMed labs such as toxicology, forensic pathology, immunology, biomedical science, gene therapy, and tissue engineering.

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The students presented a final overview of what they learned while working in the labs. Two former students from the program volunteered with WMed working in labs with their mentors. Because of this undergraduate pathway program, three additional faculty members collaborated with us. One of the students was listed as an author for a publication. The new mentors have also invited students to work with them year round. Students learn various skillsets that will aid in their future educational and career pursuits.

We take pride in having six undergraduate students in our program who are alumni of both EIH and the Science Enrichment Program.

Early Introduction to Health Careers

Success Story: Science Research Enrichment Program gives college students the chance to work closely with WMed faculty and researchers From an early age, Madison Roland’s interest in science and working with children has been steadfast.

Now, as a soon-to be senior at Kalamazoo College where she is majoring in chemistry, business, and pre-med, Roland is pursuing a future career as a physician, a path that will allow her to combine both of those passions.

That decision and the shaping of her career plans, Roland said recently, was buoyed and fueled by the eight weeks she spent in the summer of 2022 in the Science Research Enrichment Program at WMed. “I think between the curriculum at K-College and what I’ve been able to learn, along with the Science Research Enrichment Program, it really helped solidify that science is what I wanted to do,” Roland said.

The Science Research Enrichment Program is a pathway program that pairs rising second-year, third-year, and senior-year college students with a WMed scientist and their research team. The program provides direct, hands-on laboratory research experience with a focus on learners who have not had an opportunity for a deep dive into top-level research in their previous coursework or job experiences.

During her summer in the program, Roland got the opportunity to work with Prentiss Jones, PhD, who serves as an associate professor and forensic

2023-2024 Impact Report

toxicologist in the medical school’s Department of Pathology. Under Dr. Jones’ mentorship, Roland and Syann Hollins partnered on a research project examining blood lead levels in Genessee County, Michigan.

Roland and Hollins were able to gain handson experience in Dr. Jones’ lab, honing their skills on the use of different lab equipment and techniques. They also gained valuable knowledge about the research process. “(Dr. Jones) has just been a huge support ever since that summer and someone to look to for advice,” said Roland, who attended Kalamazoo Central High School before moving with her family to Washington state where she graduated from North Creek High School. “There are a lot of skills that have transferred for me to K-College – how to use different instruments and techniques in the lab and just a lot of background knowledge – and it’s been cool to be able to take skills from one part of my academic life and put them to use in another one.”

What has been even more rewarding for Roland and Hollins is the chance to continue their research and work with Dr. Jones and his team even after their time in the Science Research Enrichment Program.

Since the summer of 2022, they have continued their project examining blood lead levels and that work led to Roland and Hollins giving oral

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Success Story Cont. presentations at the 2023 and 2024 Midwest Association for Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (MATT) Annual Meeting, respectively.

“I really enjoyed being able to present in that setting, seeing the dynamic of professional organizations and other researchers’ work and absorbing the knowledge from their presentations,” said Hollins, a 2021 graduate of Gull Lake High School who is now a junior at DePaul University where she is majoring in health science on the pre-med track.

In their research project examining blood lead levels of decedents from Genessee County, Hollins and Roland hypothesized they were likely to find high levels of lead in most samples in light of the Flint Water Crisis and the high lead levels that were detected in the city’s drinking water.

The duo examined samples from 132 people and, to their surprise, found normal blood lead levels in 130 of the samples.

The remaining two samples, however, had blood lead levels well beyond what is considered toxic.

“The levels were so high that these individuals could not have been walking around,” Dr. Jones said.

A closer examination revealed that the two samples came from people who were killed by gunfire. With that knowledge in hand, Dr. Jones said Hollins and Roland changed course in their research and examined blood lead levels in 82 cases involving gunshot wounds. And while a gunshot was the cause of death in each of those incidents, the research by Hollins and Roland is now examining whether physicians who encounter gunshot victims at the hospital should

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consider a treatment plan that includes chelation to lower blood lead levels. Their research is also examining if gunshot victims who survive with retained projectiles in their bodies should also receive regular chelation treatment to lower their blood lead levels, which are often very high.

Dr. Jones said he is hopeful that Hollins and Roland will be able to submit their research and findings for publication in a journal later this summer.

“It’s been really rewarding to see them formulate their own questions and come up with their own results,” Dr. Jones said. “The hope is that we will be able to put the results of their research out there so others can also raise questions. What I’ve tried to tell them is the way science works is it’s a 1,000-piece puzzle and it would be arrogant for any scientist to think they could solve that puzzle alone. So, the hope is to add 1/1000 of a piece and stimulate those questions and further that research.”

independently and in tandem with Dr. Akkouch to learn different techniques in the lab, such as quantitative PCRs, western blotting, and RNA extraction. After his first two weeks in the program, Chukwuma said he began work on a research project examining how to speed up the bone healing process.

“While I have taken molecular biology and courses that talk about these techniques, I hadn’t gotten the chance to use them yet,” Chukwuma said. “Being able to do the steps and have it explained as to why it was important and how the data can be used created a much bigger picture for me. Now, there was a story, now there was a why to doing it.

“I can’t describe how valuable it was to see a project built from the ground up with a lot of research and forethought ahead of time,” he added.

Similar to Hollins and Roland, other young learners who have been a part of the Science Research Enrichment Program walked away with a stronger appreciation for – and deeper knowledge of – the research process and how the work contributes to furthering the fields of science and medicine.

Chukwuma plans to pursue his MD degree after he completes his studies at K-College and he said that, in addition to his work in Dr. Akkouch’s lab, he also enjoyed meeting with WMed faculty, residents, and students to talk about their career and education paths. He said the experience has helped shape how he will pursue medical school in the future.

Noah Chukwuma, a junior at Kalamazoo College who is majoring in biochemistry with a concentration in global health, spent eight weeks in the summer of 2023 working in the lab of Adil Akkouch, PhD, an assistant professor in the Department of Surgical Services at WMed.

Additionally, Chukwuma was able to shadow Keith Kenter, MD, chair of the medical school’s Department of Surgical Services, and get an upclose look at Dr. Kenter’s work in the operating room and how he interacted with patients in his clinic at WMed Health.

Chukwuma, a native of Livonia, Michigan, said he valued the opportunity to work both

“Everything really worked in tandem,” Chukwuma said. “Doing research, I could see the work

Early Introduction to Health Careers

and the impact it would have. Then, I was also talking to healthcare professionals who are using techniques based off important research. It really inspired me to want to continue the pursuit of a career in healthcare.

“The entire experience really gave me the opportunity to literally see the whole picture of why the research is important, here’s what the research can do, and here are the people you can help,” he added.

Chukwuma is continuing to work in Dr. Akkouch’s lab and, this summer, he will also take time to speak with – and mentor – the newest cohort of students from the Science Research Enrichment Program. His research last summer in Dr. Akkouch’s lab also afforded him the opportunity to present a research poster at WMed’s Research Day in April at the W.E. Upjohn M.D. Campus.

Along with Chukwuma, Abraham Konjoh, an alumnus of the 2022 Summer Research Enrichment Program, also got the opportunity to present a research poster at this year’s Research Day. The poster was the result of ongoing research Konjoh is working on in Dr. Akkouch’s lab examining how microbiomes influence osteoporosis. Konjoh said the experience has been formative for him and has allowed him to hone his skills in the lab while also learning important aspects of research such as applying formulas, formulating hypotheses, and collecting data.

“It was an important aspect of the program because I was in an environment that was very good for my growth and learning,” said Konjoh, a 2021 graduate of Loy Norrix High School who is now a junior at Kalamazoo College where he is majoring in biochemistry and physics.

“I was able to apply my knowledge and continue doing research, and I found I was interested in research,” he added.

For Konjoh, the Science Research Enrichment Program at WMed was the second pathway program he completed at the medical school.

While at Loy Norrix, Konjoh was part of a cohort of students in the Early Introduction to Health Careers (EIH) 2 program. The program, now in its 10th year, is a longitudinal initiative comprised of monthly Saturday Science academies held each year from October to May. EIH 2 focuses on health sciences, math, and development of critical thinking and problem solving for 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students and the curriculum for the weekend science academies includes intentional, guided research, individual mentoring sessions, clinical and nonclinical speakers.

“EIH 2 exposed me to a setting where you got to work with peers to solve problems and it was very representative of what we might see in medical school or post-medical school,” Konjoh said. “It exposed me to things I otherwise would not have been exposed to – thinking through problems and body systems, thinking like medical

professionals and applying that knowledge.”

Maya Daniels, who is majoring in international studies with a concentration in international development at Spelman College, took part in the Science Research Enrichment Program in the summer of 2023 and completed research on polycystic kidney disease in the lab of Erik Larson, PhD, and Gerrit Bouma, PhD, professors in the Department of Biomedical Sciences.

“It was a really good experience,” Daniels said.

“I learned so much because I had never been in a lab before then. It gave me an appreciation for research and what goes into research and the time and dedication that you have to have.”

As he has worked as a mentor in the Science Research Enrichment Program over the last few years, Dr. Jones said the program’s success for students is undeniable. He said he appreciates the opportunity to give something back as a mentor.

“Madison and Syann were the first two students to work in my lab and now I have my fourth and fifth students in the lab,” Dr. Jones said. “We’re trying to build upon legacies and as I look at the end of my career I wish I was doing this 20 years ago.

“I can’t imagine the impact a program like this would have had,” Dr. Jones said.

“Students who gain this experience give back, they pay it forward.”

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Thank You

Acknowledgments

Mentors Faculty Genevieve Abd Adil Akkouch, PhD Jerry Bouma, PhD Karen Bovid, MD Mireya Diaz, PhD Nichol Holodick, PhD Prentiss Jones, PhD Mitchell Kenter Erik Larson, PhD Yong Li, MD Joshua Mitchell, PhD Asmaa Obead Agata Parsons Aubone Christine Pink, PhD Tom Rothstein, MD, PhD Kelsey Suggs, MD Anna Tart, MD Kelsey Temprine, PhD Peter Vollbrecht, PhD WMed Students

Cheryl Dickson, MD,MPH Professor, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine Associate Dean for Health Equity and Chief Diversity Officer Founder and Director of EIH Pathway Programs

Community Partners Communities in Schools Kalamazoo College Kalamazoo Public Schools Kalamazoo Valley Community College The Kalamazoo Promise

Candace Moore, MA Manager, Health Equity and Pathway Programs Office of Health Equity and Community Affairs Tristen Morales On Call Health Careers Pathway Coordinator Office of Health Equity and Community Affairs Cassie Watts, MA On Call Student Success Advisor Office of Health Equity and Community Affairs Shadi Adineh, MS JEDIB Program Specialist Office of Health Equity and Community Affairs Austin Brubaker Biostatistician I Department of Biomedical Informatics