Houston Methodist is now accepting applications for its 2023 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summer Scholarship Program, a 10-week program created to give hands-on learning and leadership development experiences in select Houston Methodist hospitals and departments.

 

In its second year, the program, hosted by Houston Methodist’s Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), matches undergraduate students interested in pursuing a future in health care in a non-clinical setting with summer opportunities to work side by side with employees across the eight-hospital Houston Methodist system.

 

Along with the immersive 10-week work experience, the program offers professional development workshops, mentorship, skill building opportunities and exposure to health care professionals in areas such as: managed care administration, spiritual care, DEI, finance, Houston Methodist Academic Institute human resources, department of otolaryngology at Houston Methodist Hospital and more. Each participating scholar will be awarded a $6,000 scholarship.

 

“It’s critical to create opportunities and expose future health care leaders, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, to the variety of career opportunities in the health care industry,” said Arianne Dowdell, vice president, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at Houston Methodist. “There are so many career options within the evolving health care industry, and we’re committed to Houston Methodist’s mission to create and maintain a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. We look forward to welcoming another group of exceptional students to our second DEI scholarship program cohort this summer.”

 

In 2022, six college students had the opportunity to gain exposure to a variety of positions at Houston Methodist’s flagship location in the Texas Medical Center during the program’s first year. The goal of the 2023 cohort is to expand the program to place scholars at all eight Houston Methodist hospitals in the Greater Houston area.

 

Siah Green, a senior biology major at Prairie View A&M University, was a member of the inaugural group of scholars last summer. She said the program’s focus on mentorship and hands-on experience helped her set her sights on a health care career.

 

“As a result of this amazing experience, I’m more excited than ever to pursue a career in medicine and am well-equipped to take on my future endeavors,” Green said. “I can’t wait to take the knowledge I’ve gained into the professional health care job market.”

 

The application period for the 2023 program opened December 5, 2022 and continues through January 27, 2023. The DEI Summer Scholarship Program runs from May 30 – August 4, 2023. Program requirements and further details are available here.

 

For additional information on the DEI Summer Scholarship Program, contact the Houston Methodist Office of DEI via email at Deisummerscholar@houstonmethodist.org.