PROUD-MED

The Program for Underrepresented in Medicine for Equity and Diversity (PROUD-MED) is an initiative supported by the ICTS and the Washington University School of Medicine (SOM) to enhance underrepresented in medicine (URiM) faculty development by providing mentored clinical research training, dedicated Research Development Program (RDP) resources, senior faculty support, and group mentorship as a community to integrate with institutional programs.

PROUD-MED will comprise a 2-year cluster training program to recruit 12– 16 URiM trainees (senior residents, clinical fellows or just-appointed clinical faculty) as a cohort. Each PROUD-MED cohort will receive longitudinal support, guidance and advocacy by senior URiM faculty to sustain community and mentee support networks, enabling URiM trainees to launch and sustain clinical and/or translational research careers. PROUD-MED cohort opportunities include mentored clinical training to support career development and progression plans in their area of research; and Research Development Program (RDP) resources, including Research Forums, NIH Mock Study Sections and Scientific Editing Service supports. PROUD-MED will synergize with existing URiM programs at our institution through the support of dedicated, institutionally-funded, senior URiM faculty coupled with group mentorship, with an emphasis on tools to help trainees navigate academic structures as an URiM faculty member.

Applications Open on March 18, 2024.


Patricia Cavazos-Rehg, PhD and Adetunji T. Toriola, MD, PhD, Co-Directors for PROUD-MED, Program for Underrepresented in Medicine for Equity and Diversity

Patricia Cavazos-Rehg, PhD
Professor of Psychiatry

Associate Director, KL2 Career Development Award Program
Director, Postdoctoral Mentored Training Program in Clinical Investigation
Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Psychiatry
Adetunji T. Toriola, MD, PhD
Professor of Surgery

Danforth WashU Physician-Scientist Scholar
Deputy Director, MPHS Program
Co-Program Director T32 Surgical Oncology Basic Science and Translational Research Training Program 
Principal Investigator, Toriola Lab