Dean Olsen Staff Writer @deanolsenSJR
Expanding a program that cultivates high school students interest in the medical profession and helping future doctors avoid unconscious bias are among the goals of a new associate dean at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.
This job will give me the opportunity to be a collaborator, a change agent, Dr. Wendi Wills El-Amin said.
Wills El-Amin, 46, a family medicine physician, began her new role Aug. 1 as associate dean for equity, diversity and inclusion. She previously was an academic strategist in SIUs department of medical education and treated patients through the department of family medicine.
The Springfield resident succeeded Dr. Wesley Robinson McNeese, who helped launch SIUs office of diversity, multicultural and minority affairs in 2001.
McNeese, 69, who is African-American, is a Christian minister who pastors a Springfield church. He has been hired to work part-time on diversity initiatives throughout the SIU system, including the campuses in Carbondale and Edwardsville.
Wills El-Amin, who also is African American, was born in Pennsylvania and raised in Houston, Texas. She said she will take on McNeeses role of mentoring minority medical students. Among other duties, she also will oversee the Physician Pipeline Preparatory Program, or P4, which McNeese founded in 2009.
The P4 program enrolls Springfield-area high school students interested in potential careers as doctors. The after-school program provides mentors and exposure to the medical field.
Wills El-Amin said she would like to expand the program so parts of it reach students in the elementary and middle-school grades. Many of these young people would benefit from learning that a career as a doctor is a possibility, she said.
Wills El-Amin said her most influential teacher was in third grade a woman she knows today as Mrs. Creole.
She was the teacher who really made me believe I had a lot of potential, El-Amin said.
McNeese and Wills El-Amin come from different backgrounds.
McNeese said he grew up very poor in East St. Louis. He was salutatorian of his high school class and served in the Air Force in Vietnam before working as a journalist in East St. Louis and a paramedic.
He enrolled at Illinois State University at age 30 and later took part in SIUs Medical/Dental Education Preparatory Program (MEDPREP) before earning his medical degree at SIU and working a decade as an emergency room doctor. He now is a father of four. His new title with SIU will be system executive director for diversity initiatives.
Since McNeese began his work on diversity at SIU, the school has definitely made strides in the percentage of minority students enrolling and graduating as doctors, he said.
SIU currently ranks in the top 3 percent to 4 percent of medical schools nationwide when it comes to the percentage of black students graduating, he said, though the share of doctors who are black nationwide 4 percent remains low.
The P4 program, which has served many students who are minorities since its inception, could produce medical students for SIU eventually, McNeese said.
Its a grow-your-own type of idea, he said.
Wills El-Amin, the mother of three girls, grew up the daughter of an internal-medicine physician, but like McNeese, she said she experienced racism as she grew up and as a professional.
She earned a bachelors degree from Hampton University in Virginia and a medical degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., before completing a family medicine residency at the University of Texas at Houston.
She joined SIU in 2013 and before that was director of the University of Virginias cancer center disparity initiative and the outreach center on health disparities. She is chairwoman of the womens health section for the National Medical Association, an organization of African American doctors.
Wills El-Amin said she will work to help all SIU medical students, minority and non-minority, understand how the health of their patients can be influenced by factors outside the exam room. Those factors, known as the social determinants of health, can include poverty, education and crime.
She said she also wants to equip medical students with tools to avoid burnout a common problem among the ranks of physicians. Im very invested in cultivating resiliency, she said.
Unconscious biases can shape the way doctors interact with patients, Wills El-Amin said. She said she plans to use data on those biases to shape the curriculum for medical students and create a different approach when theyre dealing with their patients.
The medical schools staff already has received some training on eliminating institutional racism. That training will continue and will promote equitable treatment regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation, Wills El-Amin said.
My approach is more of how to teach people cultural humility, she said.
Dr. Jerry Kruse, dean and provost of the medical school, said McNeese has done an excellent job for the school. Kruse said Wills El-Amin is an accomplished medical educator. She has a focus in her heart on the students.
Wills El-Amins annual salary as associate dean will be $210,000. The salary for McNeeses salary for his new job was unavailable. His salary as a medical school associate dean was $210,000, according to SIU officials.
Contact Dean Olsen: dean.olsen@sj-r.com, 788-1543, twitter.com/DeanOlsenSJR.
Read more from the original source:
SIU med school administrator to expand diversity promotion efforts - The State Journal-Register
- "Shift Happens" [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Getting Started With Your Personal Statement [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- I started this blog 1 year ago. I'm ready to become a medical doctor. [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Poll Results: "What is your GPA?" [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Why Ross University School of Medicine? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Why Ross University? (Continued) [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Filling out applications with the last 4 years in mind. [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- "Active and Passive Euthanasia" [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- 300 Word Personal Statement - First Draft [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- 300 Word Personal Statement - 2nd Draft [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- "Where did you do EMT training at?" [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- "is this jonathan that went to brazil in the summer of 2006?" [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- First Application is Away - Ross University [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- AMCAS—The American Medical College Application Service [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- The Student Doctor Network [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Crime Incident - Public Safety Announcement: STUDENTS [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- AMCAS Deadlines & Delays - Answered [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Headstart on Secondary Applications - The Student Doctor Network [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- The Complete Medical School & Admissions Guide - Revisited [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Interview Status - Ross University [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Finished my first interview. [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- "You have a 95% chance of acceptance..." [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- "I was just wondering if I have to go to medical school i will have to start college allover again." [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Interview Feedback - Allopathic Medical Schools - Ross University School of Medicine (Dominica Caribbean) [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- ACCEPTED! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Step 1 Revisited [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- A Few More Thoughts On Moving [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Update [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Closing In [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Internet/Computer Hell [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Back On The Net [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- 1 More Day [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Loan Deferment Blog [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Graduated! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- What Happened? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Interesting Case [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- What Made Me Stupid? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Blah. [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Call [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Medicine in the Media [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Was Medical School Worth It? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Off I Go... [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Is It Worth It, Part 2 [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Oriented [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- GLBT in Medical School [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- GLBT in Residency Applications [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- I Survived [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Reflections on the First Week [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- All Good Things Must End [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- The Lone Coyote is Back [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Pre-med student switches gears to teach in Chicago school - Chicago Tribune [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2010]
- Old-school barbecue coming to spot near Fort Worth medical district - Fort Worth Star Telegram [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2010]
- Nursing home drug use puts many at risk - Boston Globe [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2010]
- Dr. Anita Figueredo, first female surgeon in San Diego, dies at 93 - Los Angeles Times [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2010]
- Stimulus funds pay for monkey research in NC - MiamiHerald.com [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2010]
- Medicine as an economic engine - Buffalo News [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2010]
- UM medical school feels the squeeze - MiamiHerald.com [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2010]
- HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL ADVISER Bell's palsy not as serious as it appears - Detroit Free Press [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2010]
- Baylor medical school works to get back on track - Houston Chronicle [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2010]
- From community college to Amherst College and Yale Medical School - WalletPop (blog) [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2010]
- Man questions merit of coke monkey study - UPI.com [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2010]
- School Board has questions it wants answered about onsite medical clinic - Terre Haute Tribune Star [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2010]
- Stimulus Funds Pay for Monkey Research - NewsMax.com [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2010]
- Babylon schools head: Teen's collapse unrelated to athletics - Newsday (subscription) [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2010]
- Cost Of Medical School Rises In Recession - NPR [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2010]
- Flu Shots in Children Help People of All Ages - New York Times [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2010]
- A prescription for improving science education - Scope (blog) [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2010]
- Live kidney donors do not die sooner: study - Reuters [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2010]
- UW football player suspended after alleged assault - Seattle Post Intelligencer [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2010]
- More Comparative Studies Needed to Guide Physicians Study finds less than a ... - ModernMedicine [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2010]
- Conservationists worry about Mo. med school plan - KOAM-TV [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2010]
- Dr. William D. Lynn - Baltimore Sun [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2010]
- Suspect in North Dallas shootings became reclusive after parents died, family says - Dallas Morning News [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2010]
- Drinkers Gain Less Weight - Harvard Crimson [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2010]
- Long-Term Health Risks Low for Kidney Donors - WebMD [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2010]
- School resource officer remains in critical condition - Middletown Journal [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2010]
- New Lucian Leape Institute Report Finds That U.S. Medical Schools Are Falling ... - PR Newswire (press release) [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2010]
- Dual degrees program expands for Mayo Medical School students - Post-Bulletin [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2010]
- Comparative Effectiveness Research is a Must - TopNews United States [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2010]
- Long Beach OKs medical pot ordinance - Contra Costa Times [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2010]