Primary Care Ambassador Program

A three-year program to support disadvantaged undergraduates at partnering colleges and universities in Pennsylvania who have the interest, aptitude, commitment, and resilience to pursue a degree in medicine.

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First-year students accepted into the program will receive:

• Free training as Community Health Workers and real-world experience in this role

• Participation in primary care focused educational activities

• Clinical shadowing and community-based experiences

• Knowledge of health and health care issues for underserved and rural populations

• Letters of recommendation from primary care physicians

• Mentoring and additional guidance from primary care physicians and medical students

• MCAT preparation and test-taking strategies

• Strategies to improve self-confidence

• Research and scholarly opportunities

• Financial support and counseling

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Planned Schedule of Student Training and Support Activities 

(subject to change)

First-Year 

Learn about and apply to the program

Upon acceptance, attend orientation session

Mentorship and support services throughout

First Summer Break

8 weeks of education and in-clinic training

-75 hours of training to become patient navigators/community health workers

-120 hours of clinic and patient support experience

-25 hours of supplemental learning

Stipend to support living and travel expenses

Second-Year

15 hours/semester of supplemental support and learning

Approximately 4-8 hours per week Federal Work Study work with assigned clinic

Second Summer Break

Approximately 20 hours per week service with assigned clinic

Primary care research opportunities

Stipend to support living and travel expenses

Third-Year

15 hours/semester of supplemental support and learning

Approximately 4-8 hours per week Federal Work Study work with assigned clinic

Third Summer Break

Approximately 20 hours per week service with assigned clinic

Two-week Primary Care Scholars Program at Penn State College of Medicine

MCAT prep course and study skills support

Stipend to support living and travel expenses

Fourth-Year

15 hours/semester of supplemental support and learning

Approximately 4-8 hours per week Federal Work Study work with assigned clinic

Apply to medical schools

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Student Eligibility Criteria

• Pennsylvania residents attending college full time in Pennsylvania in their first year of college and from economically or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. Examples include: Pell grant recipient, First generation (parents do not have four-year degree), Rural background, From an educationally disadvantaged school district.

• Eligibility for Federal Work Study program

• Minimum high school general GPA of 3.0   

• Minimum college first semester GPA of 2.5

 

Upon acceptance into the program, students must meet the following to stay in the program:

• Maintain College GPA of 3.2 (overall) by the end of second year. 

• Attendance at 90% of Ambassador Program activities/events

• Satisfactory participation in all program elements