Osteopathic Mini-Medical School (Osteo-CHAMPS)

Year Awarded: 2001
Project Leaders:
Margaret I. Aguwa, MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine. Community Partners include: Crockett Technical High School, Martin Luther King High School, Muskegon Public Schools, Muskegon Osteopathic Hospital Foundation, St. John Hospital System, Lansing Public Schools, and Mt. Clemens Public Schools.

Osteo-CHAMPS participants Joe Orr, III and C'erra Eddington had an opportunity to attend MSU anatomy and physiology courses in summer 2002. As part of an effort to reduce racial inequality in the health sciences, the program recruits underrepresented minority high school students into osteopathic medical careers. Through courses, workshops and research projects, students learn about and prepare for college opportunities in medicine.

Project Description:
In response to the American Osteopathic Association's Minority Health Initiative, the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine began Osteo-CHAMPS program to introduce concepts of osteopathic medicine and stimulate interest in this profession among underrepresented and disadvantaged Michigan high school students. Through individual mentoring and the Summer PREcollege Enrichment Program (PREP), Osteo-CHAMPS allows students from around the state to engage in social and professional activities in hopes that this will increase the pool of underrepresented minority applicants for MSUCOM.

Recent Developments: (Article from Forum, January-March 2003)

Osteo-CHAMPS is a Winner
College of Osteopathic Medicine Recruits Minority Students

The MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine is successfully attracting minority students into medical careers through an innovative research and outreach effort called Osteo-CHAMPS (Careers in Health And Medicine Program).

Started in 1999, to meet goals outlined in the American Osteopathic Association's Minority Health Initiative, the program works to reduce racial inequality in the health sciences by recruiting underrepresented minority high school students into osteopathic medical careers. By increasing the cultural diversity of osteopathic practitioners, the project aims to promote cultural competence and cultural sensitivity in osteopathic patient care.

Twelfth graders - (l-r): Cassandra Full, Lindsey O'Neil, Amanda Cresta, Mandy Crane, Nick VandenBosch, Wan Yi Leung, and La'Sharon King (Summer 2002).

In 2002, Osteo-CHAMPS received $72,500 in funding and had 40 participants in its Summer PREcollege Enrichment Program (PREP). These number are a marked increase from the $10,000 and 10 participants the program started with in 2000.

Early support and statewide interest are contributing to this success. A recipient of a 2001 FACT grant, Osteo-CHAMPS established a residential summer program at MSU, arranged admission seminars, and is developing mentorship programs-the efforts aim to expose, encourage and prepare minority students for education and careers in the health sciences.

"This FACT award assisted us in providing a very timely and essential program for the high school participants. We are forever indebted to FACT for recognizing the benefits of this program," said Margaret I. Aguwa, Osteo-CHAMPS program director.

Osteo-CHAMPS's Summer PREP draws students from 16 high schools in Detroit, Muskegon, Lansing, Traverse City and surrounding communities. This two-week program takes place on the MSU campus in July and lets juniors and seniors interact with medical professionals through courses, workshops, and research. Past research projects have identified and addressed problems in medically underserved communities.

"We were amazed at the preparedness of these young students, their level of research and some of the recommendations they proposed," said Aguwa.

Ten participants from Summer PREP 2000 and 2001 were admitted to MSU for Fall 2002. Three are currently attending and 14 more PREP participants have applied for admission in Fall 2003. Osteo-CHAMPS sees these enrollments as signs that the program is working and plans to increase its outreach and funding to build on this early success. In 2003, it will focus on developing its mentoring program in addition to offering Summer PREP again this July.

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