PROUD-MED Cohort Request for Applications

The Washington University School of Medicine (SOM) and the Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (ICTS) solicits nominations and full applications for the 2024 Cohort in the Program for Underrepresented in Medicine for Equity and Diversity.

PROUD-MED is a 2-year program for late-stage clinical trainees (fellows or residents, (MD, DO)) or very early faculty appointees in clinical departments. PROUD–MED provides research and career mentorship for URiM clinical fellows and new clinical faculty who are interested in a career in academic medicine. A specific goal is to accelerate the appointment and retention of underrepresented in medicine (URiM) minority faculty members from the fellowship pool and enhance their individual professional development.

The PROUD-MED initiative, co-directed by Patty Cavazos-Rehg and Adetunji Toriola, will include:

• an individualized mentored research experience focusing on personal career development plans;
• “near peer” mentoring to develop a community and support network for those URiM at our institution;
• guidance to funding opportunities with supports for grant development and review; and
• programming to prepare cohorts for successful careers in clinical academic medicine.

The ideal URiM applicant will have completed the majority (if not all) of their clinical training and are focused on clinical research while seeking support to develop their career pathway leading to mentored career development awards and independent research funding.  Newly appointed faculty do not need to be on the investigator track to be eligible. Applicants will be selected based on their commitment to a career in academic medicine, as evidenced by their career statement and the nominating letter from their department chair or division chief. Preferential consideration will be given to nominees planning careers in clinical and translational science. PROUD-MED trainees are encouraged to simultaneously participate in additional Clinical Research Training Center (CRTC) programs, such as the post-doctoral MTPCI: Mentored Training Program in Clinical Investigation or KL2 Career Development Award Program) for junior faculty.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Identify as a member of those racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in the medical profession relative to their numbers in the general population (AAMC definition of URiM);
• Hold an MD or equivalent degree in a clinical department (those holding solely a PhD are not eligible);
• Have completed the majority of their clinical training (senior clinical fellow or final-year resident) or be newly appointed to clinical faculty at Washington University School of Medicine as of July 1, 2024 (or within 1 year of appointment)

Interested candidates should complete the PROUD-MED Scholar LOI and associated forms. Early submission of the Letter of Intent is encouraged. A complete application includes:

1. Updated version of the Curriculum Vitae in the Washington University format, or the NIH Biosketch;
2. 1-page Candidate Background description
3. 1-page Career Development statement; and
4. Department chair or division chief Letter of Nomination. Specific instructions are found on the application form.  

PROUD-MED application cycle is now closed

Contact

PROUDMED@wustl.edu or
Tamara Green, MPH; PROUD-MED Program Manager tsgreen@wustl.edu