Minority Applications to Medical Schools Encouraged

Hispanic medical students from across Texas recently discussed their progress in medicine at a special Baylor College of Medicine-sponsored conference.

Seven chapters of the association of United Latin American Medical Students attended the annual regional conference. Topics ranged from Hispanic folk medicine in the Southwest to diversity issues in medicine.

"Minority applications to medical schools across the nation have decreased in recent years," said Leslie Linares, president of the Baylor chapter of ULAMS. "Across the state, ULAMS chapters have resolved to stimulate and encourage interest among high school and undergraduate programs."

According to a study released by the American Association of Medical Colleges in September 2000, Hispanics, African-Americans and American Indians comprised just under 3 percent of all U.S. graduates in the early 1950s. By 1998, the proportion of graduates from these three groups had increased to nearly 15 percent while comprising approximately 25 percent of the U.S. population. The report estimates that Hispanic, African-American and American Indian graduates of U.S. medical schools represent only 6 percent of practicing physicians in the United States.

Linares said the Baylor chapter of ULAMS hopes to demystify the application process for underrepresented minorities and increase their competitiveness. A main goal of ULAMS is to support recruitment and retention programs for Latinos.

Baylor is one of 16 schools nationwide designated as a "Hispanic-Serving Health Professions School." To qualify for the designation, 9 percent or more of enrolled medical students must be Hispanic. More than 19 percent of Baylor's enrolled students are classified as underrepresented minorities.

"Baylor is strongly committed to providing educational opportunities for underrepresented minority students pursuing careers in medicine and the biomedical sciences," said Dr. James L. Phillips, senior associate dean at Baylor. "We have found that a key way to encourage minority enrollment is through programs that expose students to medicine in high school and college."

Every summer, 100 to 120 premed students from across the United States spend six weeks in the Baylor/Rice Premedical Academy at the Baylor campus, learning first-hand what medical school is like. Baylor also sponsors a Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Medicine program with the University of Houston and the University of Texas Pan American. High school students who qualify are guaranteed undergraduate admission to U of H or UT-Pan American, with subsequent admission also guaranteed to Baylor College of Medicine providing academic criteria are met. In addition, participants receive full scholarships.

"Baylor recognizes that patient care is more effective when one understands and is sensitive to the characteristics of a particular culture," Dr. Phillips said.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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