The UAB Department of Pediatrics Mini Medical School started in the spring of 2022 to provide a longitudinal series of virtual and in-person experiences to increase middle school students’ awareness of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers, both in general and in medicine. An additional goal of the program is to increase the pipeline for those who have traditionally been under-represented in medicine (URiM).

The first cohort comprised of 25 6th grade students from the following schools: WJ Christian, Smith Middle School, Erwin Middle, Huffman Middle, Cornerstone Academy, and Phillips Academy. For the pilot program, students met weekly after school at the Northeast YMCA Youth Center from March-May 2022 to hear from a variety of healthcare and science professionals about their careers and participate in different activities.

During one session, students heard from a pharmacist about his career and then made a pharmaceutical compound. They built a model lung out of a plastic bottle, straws, and balloons during the session with a respiratory therapist. Another session featured a forensic scientist and the students practiced dusting for fingerprints and identifying their own fingerprint pattern. Other activities included a zoom panel with medical students and residents, learning to place splints, and learning why helmets are important.

The program is co-directed by Brian Sims, M.D., professor in the Division of Neonatology, and Shaundra Blakemore, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine. The program is funded through the generous support of the Carlo Family and the Department of Pediatrics. It is administered through Community Engagement under the leadership of Tamera Coyne-Beasley, M.D., MPH, vice chair for Community Engagement.  Applications for the new cohort of 6th graders for the 2022-2023 school year are being accepted now.

Additionally, we are looking for volunteers from all aspects of the healthcare team (physician, nursing, physical/occupational therapy, speech pathology, respiratory therapy, child life, pharmacy, etc.) to talk about their career for our virtual sessions. Healthcare workers from URiM backgrounds are especially encouraged to volunteer. 

If interested, email MiniMedSchool@uabmc.edu for more information.