Summer Medical Leadership Program

The Summer Medical Leadership Program (SMLP) is an innovative medical academic enrichment opportunity offered by the UVA School of Medicine. The number one goal of SMLP is to expose the participants to the “real world of medicine” to prepare them not only for admission to medical school but to assume future leadership positions in medicine/biomedical field. SMLP is an intensive six-week residential summer program for 50 undergraduate students from underrepresented groups and disadvantaged backgrounds who are interested in pursuing careers in medicine, and chosen from a nationwide pool of applicants.

Program Features:

• Clinical Shadowing
• MCAT preparation
• Professional Development (e.g. seminars, essay writing workshops)
• Near-peer mentorship

A modest living stipend and food stipend are provided to all participants.

The Summer Medical Leadership Program Team is led by Taison D. Bell, MD, MBA, and assisted by Ashley Woodard and Dwan Love-Dinkens.

Dr. Bell is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the divisions of Infectious Disease and Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine at UVA. He is consistently rated as one of the top teaching attendings in the Department of Medicine. In addition, his interests are in improving inpatient health care delivery through quality improvement initiatives and increasing workforce diversity.

Ashley Woodard is the UVA School of Medicine Director of Diversity Programs and Strategic Partnerships.

Dwan Love-Dinkens is the UVA School of Medicine DEI Program Manager and Events Coordinator.

Join us during a virtual information session to learn more about the Summer Medical Leadership Program. We have three upcoming offerings:

• Tuesday, January 23, 2024 from 2:00 – 3:00 pm (eastern time)
• Tuesday, February 6, 2024 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm (eastern time)
• Wednesday, February 21, 2024 from 3:00 – 4:00 pm (eastern time)

Sign up to receive information that will help you navigate the application and admissions process.

The application window for SMLP is beginning of November – March 3. We look forward to reading your application!