We are no longer accepting applications. Scholarship for the 2023-2024 school year have been awarded.
Visiting Elective Scholarship Program For URM Students
The Visiting Elective Scholarship Program (VESP) is a unique opportunity for fourth year medical students who are under-represented in Medicine (URiM), or orthopedics including those who identify as women, and are interested in pursuing a career in Orthopedic Surgery.
The UMKC Department of Orthopedic Surgery is committed to recruiting and training a diverse group of orthopedic residents that reflects the diversity of patients we serve.
This program was designed by the UMKC Orthopedic Residency Program leadership and its Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) council. Funding is provided through internal funds from both the University Health and Children’s Mercy orthopedic departments and faculty. This scholarship reflects our engagement towards diversification of the field of orthopedic surgery.
About the Elective
- Four (4) weeks rotating through an elective experience in Orthopedic Surgery
- Awarded to 3rd or 4th year students
- Detailed descriptions of the UMKC visiting student elective can be found here.
- Program goals:
- Provide exposure to the field or Orthopedic Surgery for URiM students
- Recruit and retain URiMs to the field
- Provide longitudinal career development and mentorship from the UMKC Orthopedic Surgery faculty and residents.
- Financial support:
- $1,500 to assist with the cost of travel, fees and living expenses
- Clinical experience will be tailored to the recipients interests but will include:
- Rotation at University Health AND Children’s Mercy Hospital (2 weeks each)
- Service on the wards, in the operating room, and educational conferences
- Career support and development:
- Faculty mentor assignment with whom you will meet with weekly.
- Resident mentor assignment to assist with student orientation.
- A dinner with residents is arranged for the students to enhance exposure to the program.
- One-on-one meetings with:
- Chair of Orthopedic Surgery, UMKC Department of Orthopedics
- Chair of Orthopedic Surgery, Children’s Mercy Hospital
- Program Director, UMKC Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program
- Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Council Chair
- Residents in the UMKC Department of Orthopedic Surgery
2023 Dates
| Block | Start | End |
| 1 | 5/29/2023 | 6/25/2023 |
| 2 | 6/26/2023 | 7/23/2023 |
| 3 | 7/24/2023 | 8/20/2023 |
| 4 | 8/21/2023 | 9/17/2023 |
| 5 | 9/18/2023 | 10/15/2023 |
| 6 | 10/16/2023 | 11/12/2023 |
| 7 | 11/13/2023 | 12/10/2023 |
| 8 | 12/11/2023 | 1/7/2024 |
Eligibility
- Full-time 3rd or 4th year medical students whose identities are underrepresented in the orthopedics or who demonstrate financial hardship.
- Applicants who identify with groups that have been disadvantaged, underrepresented, inadequately supported in medical training or to those experiencing financial hardship.
- Definition of URM per AAMC: racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in the medical profession relative to their numbers in the general population.
- Students who are committed to working with underserved populations, or working with issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Requirements for the UMKC School of Medicine Clinical electives must also be met.
- Students in good standing at an LCME-accredited medical school.
Application
Thank you for your interest, applications are currently CLOSED for the academic year.
- Application process will open February 1, 2023.
- Students interested in applying for the elective should send a current CV along with a 250-word statement of interest describing the applicant’s interest in Orthopedic Surgery and how this elective will help advance or support the applicant’s career goals.
- Send application to: Hannah.meador@uhkc.org prior to March 1st and nicole.larm@uhkc.org after March 1st
- Applications are reviewed by members of the JEDI council on a rolling basis and must be received by June 5th, 2023.
Selection
- Awarded on the basis of a holistic review of education, career, and life experiences.
- Those interested in a career in academic surgery and serving underserved populations are encouraged to apply.
- Those applicants not selected for the funded rotation are strongly encouraged to apply for unfunded acting internships and electives at UMKC
Notification
- Nicole Larm, Program Coordinator (nicole.larm@uhkc.org), will notify you regarding the status of your application.