Photo: UMass Chan
UMass Chan Medical School is expanding a pathway program that supports underrepresented and disadvantaged students interested in pursuing a path to medical school. The expansion of the Baccalaureate MD Pathway Program is the focus of a new Voices of UMass Chan podcast.
Since its inception more than a decade ago, the BaccMD program has provided academic guidance, mentorship and essential resources to more than 160 students from UMass Chan’s undergraduate campuses. This year, students from Worcester State University can also apply to the program.
Tracy Kedian, MD’96, associate dean of admissions and professor of family medicine & community health, said BaccMD as a program for students who might not believe medical school is within their reach.
Isabella Izidoro, a second-year medical student in the T.H. Chan School of Medicine, shared how impactful the program has been for her.
“The first Latina doctor I ever met was at the BaccMD program,” Izidoro said. “I remember having tears in my eyes because I saw myself in that position. It just felt like the glass ceiling could be broken.”
First-year medical student Diego Marroquin said, “The BaccMD Program has really been the foundation to my success, not only as an undergraduate student, but also as a medical student and future physician, because I’m a first-generation college student.”
Accepted students participate in an immersive summer enrichment program, receive MCAT preparation assistance and connect with physicians who inspire them to envision their own success.
Applications are open until Feb. 14. Learn more about the BaccMD Program and how to apply at: https://www.umassmed.edu/baccmd.
Listen to the full Voices of UMass Chan podcast here: umassmed.edu/voices or wherever you listen to podcasts.
