The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the National Medical Association (NMA) and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois’ (BCBSIL) Institute for Physician Diversity are pleased to announce the recipients of the Illinois Black Men in Medicine Innovation Grant. The three awardees – I Am Abel Foundation, Rosalind-Franklin University of Medicine and Science, and Sneakers to Scrubs – will receive $20,000 to develop innovative, replicable, system-based solutions to increase the representation and engagement of Black men in medicine. The collaboration is part of the Action Collaborative for Black Men in Medicine.
“We are excited to announce the first-of-its-kind opportunity aimed at developing innovative solutions to increase the representation of Black men in medicine in the state of Illinois. The state will serve as a learning lab where new replicable models will be developed and tested to address critical gaps in health equity and foster greater diversity in the medical profession,” stated Norma Poll-Hunter, PhD, AAMC senior director of workforce diversity.
Each of the awardees have led exceptional projects:
- Rosalind-Franklin University of Medicine and Science – My Brother’s Heroes:
This project aims to enhance Rosalind Franklins University’s STEM education and pathway programs for underrepresented students from low-resource areas. Through a Parent/Hero Academy, the university will educate parents, guardians, and influential figures in young Black men’s lives about medical careers and navigating college. The program is designed for students from fourth grade through medical school and provides ongoing support. Outreach efforts will focus on recruiting Black male students into pathway programs, creating a well-resourced path to medical school, and addressing common barriers such as limited career exposure and inadequate resources. - Sneakers to Scrubs – Athletes for Student Success (AS2) Program:
The Sneakers to Scrubs Athletes for Student Success (AS2) Program, in partnership with the University of Chicago Department of Intercollegiate and Intramural Sports, aims to enhance educational achievement, an interest in a health care career, and leadership skills in middle school students during the 2024-25 academic year. This initiative seeks to create a model for collaboration between Illinois college athletic departments and local schools, using student athletes’ influence to improve educational outcomes and health care career interest among underserved middle school students. - I Am Abel Foundation – Project 7814:
Project 7814 is a mentoring program which aims to inspire a resurgence in interest, preparedness, and applications to medical school among Black scholars to help them thrive in medical school admissions and beyond, despite existing challenges. Its goal is to support Black men within one to two years of applying to medial school by offering Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) prep, personal statement workshops, application reviews, mentoring, and professional development led by Black male physicians.
“As a practicing physician in Illinois, I find it encouraging to see organizations adopting innovative strategies to address the underrepresentation of Black men in medicine. By tackling the key barriers that hinder access to medical careers, we can pave a smoother pathway for future generations.” Said Stephen Watson, MD, immediate past president of the Cook County Physicians Association, the local Chicago chapter of the NMA.
This grant represents a vital step toward advancing health equity, empowering underserved communities, and fostering a future where everyone has access to quality health care and opportunities for better health outcomes.
For more information on the Action Collaborative for Black Men in Medicine, please visit www.aamc.org/actioncollabforbmim.
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Association of American Medical Colleges
The AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) is a nonprofit association dedicated to improving the health of people everywhere through medical education, health care, medical research, and community collaborations. Its members are all 159 U.S. medical schools accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education; 14 accredited Canadian medical schools; nearly 500 academic health systems and teaching hospitals, including Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers; and more than 70 academic societies. Through these institutions and organizations, the AAMC leads and serves America’s medical schools, academic health systems and teaching hospitals, and the millions of individuals across academic medicine, including more than 201,000 full-time faculty members, 97,000 medical students, 158,000 resident physicians, and 60,000 graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in the biomedical sciences. Following a 2022 merger, the Alliance of Academic Health Centers International broadened participation in the AAMC by 70 international academic health centers throughout five regional offices across the globe. Learn more at aamc.org.
National Medical Association
The NMA is the nation’s oldest and largest organization representing Black physicians and health professionals in the U.S. and promotes the collective interests of physicians and patients of African descent. We serve as the voice of Black physicians and a leading voice for parity in medicine, elimination of health disparities, and promotion of optimal health. To learn more about the NMA, please visit https://www.nmanet.org/.
