Porter Scholars in Medicine

The Porter Scholars in Medicine Program (PSMP) was created through a partnership between the University of Louisville/Norton Children’s Hospital Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine (UL PEM) and the Woodford R. Porter Scholarship program. The goals of this program are to build connections with students, provide increased clinical exposure, advice and guidance regarding career selection as well as information about the medical training and application process, and general support for students awarded the Woodford R. Porter Scholarship. Named after the first African-American trustee at the University of Louisville, the Woodford R. Porter Scholarship program serves to provide academic, personal, and professional support to recipients. Created in 1984, the Porter Scholarship is the largest Black scholarship organization at the University of Louisville. By providing robust mentorship and educational experiences to Porter Scholars who are interested in a career as a physician, the PSMP program aims to increase the number of students who matriculate to medical school.

Objectives:

  • Show undergraduate students what a career in medicine involves through activities designed to highlight clinical thinking, teamwork/ communication skills and the daily life of a physician 
  • Provide physician mentorship to encourage students who wish to pursue a career in medicine 
  • Outline the process of medical school application and introduce life as a medical student 
  • Explore and develop requisite skills for physicians including communication, grit and resilience
Components:
  • Clinical Experiences
    • Clinical experience is a vital part of the medical school application. In this program, students will have an opportunity to participate in various clinical experiences with pediatric emergency medicine faculty including:
      • Simulation
      • Ultrasound
      • Shadowing
  • Mentorship
    • Students will participate in small team based mentoring with pediatric emergency faculty and current medical students to help guide their premed path.
  • Personal & Professional Development
    • The Porter Scholarship Program in collaboration with the Alumni Office, Career Center, and the School of Medicine will host bi-monthly programming aimed at personal and professional growth. Topics to include study skills, health and social justice, networking, resiliency, cv/resume building and time management.
  • Medical School Admission Prep
    • Students will interact with UofL School of Medicine Admissions staff, faculty and students to learn the ins and outs of medical school. Areas of focus include application prep, funding, curriculum and the student experience.
Programs:
  • Study Skills 
  • What's in a Major 
  • Time Management 
  • Networking 
  • Resiliency & Grit 
  • Dope White Coats: Doctor Spotlight 
  • Doctors of Tomorrow: Medical School Student Spotlights 
  • Good Trouble: Health & Social Justice 
  • Making A Connection: Getting to Know Alumni 
  • Conquering the Medical School Application 
  • Take Care: Self-Care, Mental Health & Wellness 
  • Book Club 
  • Keepin' The Connection: Getting to Know Alumni 
  • The Med School Experience: Student National Medical Association (SNMA) Panel 
  • Building a Resume/CV

Applications are accepted on Engage at the start of the Fall semester. Eligible students must be a current Porter Scholar with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

For more information, visit louisville.edu/culturalcenter/studentsuccess.