Diversity Visiting Student Clerkship Program
Diversity Visiting Student Clerkship Program
The UW Department of Ophthalmology is excited to participate in the Diversity Visiting Student Clerkship Program, a funded program designed to give 4th-year medical students from backgrounds historically underrepresented in medicine the opportunity to experience the exceptional education in ophthalmology offered by the University of Washington. Students will spend two or four weeks at one or more of the UW ophthalmology services, including Harborview Medical Center, Seattle Children’s, and/or VA Puget Sound Health Care System, and care for a variety of patients in our tertiary care centers. Students will also be expected to attend all scheduled medical student and resident teaching sessions, conferences and present at least one case presentation to the other students on the rotation.
Eligibility
The program is open to applicants who are currently enrolled in a U.S. medical school, demonstrate academic excellence, and belong to groups that are recognized as historically underrepresented in the health and science professions, including Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, and Native American (American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian). Applicants should be strongly motivated to pursue a career in Ophthalmology.
Application
The funded Visiting Clerkship position will be available during June, July, August, or September. Funding includes a stipend of up to $1,500 to cover housing and travel costs for either 2 or 4 weeks.
Students must also apply through VSLO and submit a personal statement separately to ophthclerk@uw.edu.
2024 Diversity Visiting Clerkship recipient, Chris Wallace- Carrete, University of Utah School of Medicine
My journey into medicine has been driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact in the lives of underserved communities and to champion diversity in the field of healthcare. This passion, rooted in my own experiences as someone from an underserved background, has propelled me to pursue opportunities where I can contribute to advancing healthcare equity and excellence. Participating in an elective within the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Washington aligns perfectly with my aspirations to not only further my clinical skills but also to engage with the program’s mission of promoting diversity, inclusion, and health equity in patient care, research, and education. Moreover, I see this rotation as an invaluable opportunity to immerse myself in the vibrant culture of UW, to connect with its esteemed faculty, residents, and staff, and to gain firsthand insight into the program's ethos and values. As someone who harbors a strong desire to pursue ophthalmology residency at the University of Washington, I am eager to showcase my dedication and commitment to the field while also deepening my understanding of its clinical and academic landscape.
My focus in medical school has been marked by a dedication to addressing the needs of underserved and marginalized communities. Upon entering medical school, I sought opportunities to extend a helping hand to those most in need. In the field of ophthalmology, I found a calling that resonated deeply with my desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. As an active member of the ophthalmology outreach community, I have dedicated my time outside of school to volunteer at free community eye clinics in Salt Lake City. These clinics serve as a lifeline for underserved, uninsured, and homeless individuals, offering vital eye care services that they may otherwise go without. One experience that stands out to me as a positive result of these clinics is a patient I met on my pediatrics rotation. She was a young patient admitted to the hospital for pneumonia. Although her immediate care was focused on her respiratory infection, it was clear through my interactions with her during rounds that she needed glasses. After talking about this with her parents, it became evident that the patient, her parents, and her younger brother were all struggling with poor eyesight. They came from an underserved area within the community and didn’t have the resources to afford appropriate eye care. Through our community eye clinic, we provided the patient and her family with the necessary treatment and prescription glasses, allowing them to see clearly for the first time in years. Witnessing the immediate impact of our work on this family was incredibly rewarding and solidified my commitment to serving those in need.
In addition to my volunteer efforts in the ophthalmology community, my passion for mentorship led me to accept a role as a Mentorship Fellow with the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the University of Utah School of Medicine. In this capacity, I serve as a mentor to underserved and underrepresented pre-medical students, offering guidance, support, and mentorship to help them achieve their aspirations of gaining acceptance to medical school. Having benefited from the guidance of mentors who saw my potential and encouraged me to pursue my passions, I am committed to paying it forward and empowering future generations of diverse healthcare professionals