The U-M Medical School Department of Surgery LEAGUES (Leadership Exposure for the Advancement of Gender and Underrepresented Minority Equity in Surgery) program is a summer experience open to all medical students between their first and second years of matriculation in medical school. It aims to provide an early introduction to procedural specialties and their key role in advancing women and underrepresented minority clinicians in our country, surgical research with a focus on healthcare outcomes and policy and trainee level advocacy for the medical rights of marginalized communities.
The fellowship includes 3 positions available per year to complete a four-week immersive introduction to academic surgery. This program is the first of its kind and aims to become the premier model for academic surgery programs looking to create a pipeline of socially conscious and diverse surgical residents through early mentorship and recruitment interventions.
Our goal is to foster the development of future surgeons with a belief in the importance of diversity, gender equality, inclusion, and health equity for patients, students, and professionals in academic surgery through exposure and mentorship while gaining research experience, surgical skills, professional development, and networking.
- Mentorship: Each student will be assigned to a research mentor within our surgery department who will in turn oversee the participation of the student in a short-term research project. These ventures will be identified ahead of time for feasibility within the timeline of the fellowship.
- Research & Academic Opportunities: The scholars will have an expected 40 hour per week commitment which should be largely dedicated to working on their selected project. Seminars will be hosted by Department of Surgery faculty, residents, and students and will cover topics on leadership, advocacy, career development, application strategies, and opportunities within academic surgery.
Vanessa Niba, MD
Crystal Taylor, MD
Please note: We are reimagining the LEAGUES program as an in-person experience, so it will not be offered in the summer of 2025.
Please check back in the spring 2026 for the status of the summer 2026 program.
The LEAGUES program is open to any 1st year medical students enrolled in a U.S. medical school who have completed the first year of medical school having demonstrated interest in furthering the mission of our program as shown through their application.
Funding for the LEAGUES program is provided by the Michigan Medicine Department of Surgery. A $1,000 stipend will be awarded to each participant, and all materials and books required for participation in the program will be provided. Three (3) LEAGUES fellows are selected each cycle.
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Research Professor
Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery
Assistant Dean for Clinical Medical Education
Medical School
