Pipeline programs inform and educate youth of all age groups on careers in health science, focusing on building the pipeline for future health care careerists.
The Building Blocks: Rush Scholars Program
The Building Blocks: Rush Scholars Program is a pipeline and mentorship program for underrepresented junior and senior high school students in the Chicago area who are interested in medicine.
The mission is to provide an integrative curriculum of clinical immersion, personalized mentorship and community service to prepare underrepresented students for matriculation into college, graduate education and medicine. Students engage in monthly hands-on classroom activities taught by medical students and pediatric residents centered on professionalism, CV/resume building, interviewing skills, essay writing, life as a medical student and immersive clinical experiences. Students partner with mentors to aid in the preparation of their college applications. Post-COVID-19, students will shadow their student mentor in the preclinical setting as well as their physician mentor in the clinic/hospital setting.
Mini Medical School
The CPASS Foundation Mini Medical School at Rush University Medical Center introduces fourth and fifth grade students to the wonders of the health sciences and the health care professions through lectures, experiments and other forms of exploration. Rush University is offering this Saturday enrichment program to students from the neighborhoods around Rush at no cost.
Focused on hands-on learning experiences, the program helps students develop critical-thinking skills while making connections with mentors and role models. The program is a great way for students to learn what it means to be a nutritionist, respiratory therapist, phlebotomist, doctor, nurse, dentist, veterinarian, pharmacist or other health care provider.
Richard T. Crane Medical Preparatory High School
Rush University partners with Crane Medical Preparatory Academy to mentor and direct the youth to careers in health through service opportunities, lectures, internships and interactive experiences. Student leaders and faculty work together in the following pipeline projects:
Step-Up to Medicine
Step-Up to Medicine is a pipeline program for high school students interested in a health care career. The goal of this program is to encourage professional development through mentorship, interactive activities, and building skills to prepare for a career in medicine.
- What: The program curriculum involves monthly 40 – 50-minute sessions that include: interactive activities, guest speakers, group discussions and exposure to health care careers.
- Where: Richard T. Crane High School
- Who: 9th and 10th graders
- When: Lunch hours (*may be subject to change to after school)
- 9th grade: 11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
- 10th grade: 12:25 – 1:15 p.m.
Perfect Pass
The Perfect Pass is a community service program that educates high school athletes/students on applicable sports medicine and health topics in order to overcome the current lack of athletic trainers. The goal of this program is to encourage students to be more aware of injury prevention, healthy lifestyle habits and potential health care careers.
- What: The program curriculum involves seven one-hour education sessions that include: educational content, group discussions, interactive activities and exposure to health care careers.
- Where: Richard T. Crane High School
- Who: Sports teams
- When: After school during the sports’ preseason/conditioning