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U.Va. Medical School Program Receives $1.5 Million Grant

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has awarded $1.5 million to the University of Virginia School of Medicine's Medical Academic Advancement Program (MAAP), a six-week summer residential program that helps minorities and disadvantaged students prepare for the rigorous demands of a medical career.

The Medical Academic Advancement Program has helped make medical careers possible for hundreds of college students from across the nation, said Dr. Robert Carey, dean of the U.Va. School of Medicine. The retention rate of graduates from this program in medical school is close to 100 percent, placing our School of Medicine in a national leadership role in promoting students in health-related professions. We are delighted that the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has chosen to continue its support of this program.

The U.Va. School of Medicine started MAAP in 1984 as a way to increase the number of minorities and economically disadvantaged students in health care professions. Since its inception, more than 1,500 students have participated. Students accepted to MAAP receive intense nstruction in the sciences, hands-on clinical and research experience with a faculty mentor and counseling in areas such as financial planning and study skills.

Through the MAAP program, students are able to see that a career in medicine is a reachable, attainable goal, said Wei Li Fang, associate professor of medical education and co-director of MAAP. We expose them to all aspects of medicine from birth to death, as well as information on admissions procedures, career choices, time management and what to expect from residency.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has provided funding for MAAP since 1988 through its Minority Medical Education Program.

November 6, 1998