LEAD is a joint venture between the Office of Admissions, the Office for Health Equity and Inclusion (OHEI) and the Office of Medical Student Education (OMSE). Admitted students should express interest in the LEAD program to the Office of Admissions for the Medical School. Selections will be offered and made at the discretion of the Dean and Office of Admissions.
OHEI faculty and staff provide leadership, mentorship, and social justice advocacy development; exposure to social determinants of health; community building; and social identity development.
OMSE staff assist with leadership strategies, including setting goals, improving organizational skills, and providing techniques to grow as a leader and mentor peers in the transition to medical school.
Students who participate in LEAD receive ongoing support from OHEI and are encouraged to stay connected to their cohort throughout medical school to coordinate efforts, share best practices, and serve as support to one another.
"The LEAD pre-matriculation program has been transformative for me, providing invaluable opportunities to cultivate my leadership skills and engage with diverse perspectives. By fostering a supportive community and offering tailored resources, LEAD has empowered me to approach academic challenges with resilience and confidence, paving the way for personal and professional growth."
“Nobody could have convinced me how valuable LEAD would be until I experienced it myself. I wanted to build community, hone my leadership skills, and prepare to start medical school. I received all of that and much more. The speakers (medical students, faculty, physicians, and support staff) have convinced me unequivocally that I can do anything I set my mind to here, with the help of my cohort and the support systems that want to see us succeed. I became unafraid to fail, which I inevitably will before getting back up. I feel like I belong here, unquestionably, and I will remember how I felt at LEAD anytime I have doubts about myself and my capabilities.”
"My experience with LEAD was amazing! From the moment I stepped into the program, I was welcomed into a community of passionate individuals dedicated to personal and professional growth. As the first in my family to attend medical school, the pre-matriculation and longitudinal programs have also helped me gain a better understanding of how to navigate medical school."
"The LEAD program empowered me to confidently take my first steps back on campus after almost a decade away from the university setting. The sessions were packed with useful information, and I feel immensely more prepared to take on my first year at the University of Michigan Medical School. My biggest key takeaway from the program is that there is more than one way to make the most of your time in medical school - success in medical school looks different for different people."
About a year ago, over fifty thousand pre-med students began the application process for medical school. In a time of immense uncertainty, social isolation, civil unrest, and fear of losing loved ones, applicants like myself experienced an added level of unpredictability...
Not every path is linear, especially when it comes to going to medical school. Some students may move directly from their undergraduate into M1, others may take a few years off before entering the field...
Before coming to the University of Michigan Medical School, I spent three years building the nonprofit organization, Lunar Doula Collective (LDC)...
