MCW Health Equity Scholars Program (HESP)
Our Mission
HESP Key Elements
Financial Support
Health Equity Training
Psychosocial Support
Living-Learning Community
Eligibility
We are looking for applicants who have a demonstrable interest in addressing health care disparities in the City of Milwaukee and will support these students' growth into physician-leaders who can transform healthcare alongside the Milwaukee communities in which they serve.
- Enrollment in HESP is first contingent upon meeting all of the pre-matriculation requirements for the School of Medicine and being admitted to MCW-Milwaukee School of Medicine
- Have a demonstrated financial need
- Have a demonstrable interest in health equity
Application
A select number of HESP applicants who submit the written HESP application will be invited for a virtual interview. All invitations to interview for HESP will be sent via email. Selection factors for HESP include the HESP written application, experiences, interest in and aptitude for health equity work, and the personal interview.
Helpful Information
-Submit your primary application through AMCAS and choose the Regular MD program
-On the secondary application, designate MCW-Milwaukee as your campus preference
-Applicants who are accepted into the MCW-Milwaukee SOM and meet HESP eligibility requirements will receive an additional application for HESP via email
-Interviews for HESP will take place virtually and will be granted to eligible applicants who have been accepted into the MCW-Milwaukee School of Medicine and have completed the HESP written application
Note: You are strongly advised to apply and complete your primary and secondary applications early
Meet the Inaugural Cohort
MCW’s first HESP cohort is thrilled to begin their medical education journey with an intentional focus on addressing health and health care disparities in Wisconsin and Milwaukee's shortage of physicians.
![headshot](/-/media/MCW/Education/Medical-School/HESP/Ali-Gani__Academic-Profile.jpg?w=200&h=275&mode=crop&anchor=middlecenter&scale=both 200w)
Gani Ali
HESP Scholar, Class of 2028
![headshot](/-/media/MCW/Education/Medical-School/HESP/Ayala-Ciara_Academic-Profile.jpg?w=200&h=275&mode=crop&anchor=middlecenter&scale=both 200w)
Ciara Ayala
HESP Scholar, Class of 2028
![headshot](/-/media/MCW/Education/Medical-School/HESP/Alex-Martinez_Academic-Profile.jpg?w=200&h=275&mode=crop&anchor=middlecenter&scale=both 200w)
Alex Rafael Martinez Colindres
HESP Scholar, Class of 2028
![headshot](/-/media/MCW/Education/Medical-School/HESP/MiraclePowell_Academic-Profile.jpg?w=200&h=275&mode=crop&anchor=middlecenter&scale=both 200w)
Miracle Powell
HESP Scholar, Class of 2028
![headshot](/-/media/MCW/Education/Medical-School/HESP/Simpson-Dalicia_Academic-Profile.jpg?w=200&h=275&mode=crop&anchor=middlecenter&scale=both 200w)
Dalicia Simpson
HESP Scholar, Class of 2028
Words From Our Students
Each HESP scholar brings unique perspectives and passions to MCW. Learn more about motivates them to make a difference in the community they will serve.
"I am truly excited about the community asset that the ThriveOn building will become. It will offer a chance to interact and reside with the residents of Bronzeville, which will help us gain a better understanding of their health care needs. This will enable us to take the necessary steps to improve health equity within Milwaukee."
Ciara Ayala, '28
Being able to learn and grow with, and within, my community throughout my medical school journey is what appeals to me the most. I am excited to be able to come back home to Milwaukee and serve the communities that have contributed to my growth. Gaining hands-on experience in engaging with and serving underrepresented/underserved communities early in my medical career will undoubtedly refine my skills and abilities as a holistic, understanding physician by the time I complete medical school.
Dalicia Simpson, '28
I am so blessed to have been raised by my father and grandmother who did everything to ensure that I was safe and lived a fulfilling life. I know that my grandmother is close and will be with me every step of the way as I grow through this new chapter of life.
Miracle Powell, '28
I am passionate about learning as much as possible to impact my community positively. By meaningfully applying my knowledge and skills, I aim to make Milwaukee a place where everyone can live, grow, and thrive in good health.
Alex Rafael Martinez Colindres, '28
ThriveOn is going to positively benefit many lives and I am so grateful to be a part of that. I am excited to engage and connect with all who share the space.
Gani Ali, '28
Meet Our Planning Team
The HESP Planning Team: HESP was implemented following a year-long needs assessment and design process conducted by an dedicated, experienced, and creative team of MCW faculty, staff, and students and leaders from the Milwaukee community who have expertise in the city’s needs and who are heavily invested in its growth and thriving. The needs assessment included key stakeholder interviews, focus groups with URIM students at MCW, and a comprehensive literature review. The resulting design of HESP reflects a collaborative, placed-based approach to teaching and learning health equity.
![headshot](/-/media/MCW/Education/Medical-School/Faculty-and-Staff/Genyne-L-EdwardsAcademic-Profile.jpg?w=200&h=275&mode=crop&anchor=middlecenter&scale=both 200w)
Genyne Edwards, JD
Founder & Partner, P3 Development Group
![headshot](/-/media/MCW/Departments/Pediatrics/Emergency-Medicine/Catherine-Ferguson_Academic-Profile.jpg?w=200&h=275&mode=crop&anchor=middlecenter&scale=both 200w)
Catherine (Cassie) Ferguson, MD
Associate Professor of Pediatrics; Director, Quality Improvement & Patient Safety Scholarly Pathway
![headshot](/-/media/MCW/Departments/Comprehensive-Injury-Center/2022-Headshots/Mike-Levas_Academic-Profile.jpg?w=200&h=275&mode=crop&anchor=middlecenter&scale=both 200w)
Michael Levas, MD, MS
Professor of Pediatrics; Director of Social Medicine, Section of Pediatric Emergency Medicine; Medical Director, Project Ujima; Associate Director, Comprehensive Injury Center
![headshot](/-/media/MCW/Education/Medical-School/Faculty-and-Staff/Joshua-Parish_Academic-Profile.png?w=200&h=275&mode=crop&anchor=middlecenter&scale=both 200w)
Joshua Parish, NRP, MSc, MPH
Assistant Chief - EMS, Training, & Education City of Milwaukee Fire Department
![headshot](/-/media/MCW/Education/Pathway-Program/Devarati-Syam_Academic-Profile.jpg?w=200&h=275&mode=crop&anchor=middlecenter&scale=both 200w)
Devarati Syam, PhD
Program Manager, MCW
![headshot](/-/media/MCW/Departments/BioFPOMCWlogo.jpg?w=200&h=275&mode=crop&anchor=middlecenter&scale=both 200w)
Omar Syed
Resident, Medical College of Wisconsin
![headshot](/-/media/MCW/Education/Medical-Scientist-Training-Program/Students/SaiSuma-Samudrala_Academic-Profile.jpg?w=200&h=275&mode=crop&anchor=middlecenter&scale=both 200w)
![headshot](/-/media/MCW/Education/Medical-School/HESP/Egal-War_Academic-Profile.jpg?w=200&h=275&mode=crop&anchor=middlecenter&scale=both 200w)
Egal Warsame
Third-Year MCW Medical Student; MPS Graduate
Our Partner Organizations
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The ThriveOn Collaboration
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The African American Leadership Alliance of Milwaukee (AALAM)
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Milwaukee Health Care Partnership
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Region of Choice
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Questions?
Please reach out to:
Dr. Cassie Ferguson, Associate Professor of Pediatrics (cferguson@mcw.edu)
or
Dr. Devarati Syam, HESP Program Manager (dsyam@mcw.edu)
![Medical College of Wisconsin Google map location](/-/media/MCW/Common/Google-Maps/location430435866880211208zoom13.png?w=600&h=450&mode=crop)