Korean Medical Education Review (의학교육논단)

Yonsei university college of medicine (연세대학교 의과대학)
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Social Accountability at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine: A Focus on Admission Policy

서던 일리노이 의과대학의 사회적 책무성 사례: 입학정책을 중심으로

  • Heeyoung Han (Department of Medical Education, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine) ;
  • Debra Klamen (Department of Medical Education, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine)
  • 한희영 (서던일리노이대학교 의과대학 의학교육학과) ;
  • Received : 2024.08.01
  • Accepted : 2024.09.23
  • Published : 2024.10.31
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Abstract

Given the increasing health disparities across regions and populations, social accountability is not an option but an obligation for health professions schools, including medical schools. In this short communication, the authors report the case of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (SIU SOM), which has been an exemplary medical school for social accountability, receiving the 2013 AMEE ASPIRE Award in social accountability and the 2018 Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation Award for Institutional Excellence in Social Mission in Health Professions Education. This paper focuses on the school's admission policies in the discussion of its social accountability. It starts with the background of central and southern Illinois, where the school is located to address the shortage of healthcare professionals in the areas. It discusses the school's holistic admission policies and two pipeline programs-namely, MEDPREP and McNeese Physician Preparatory Pipeline Program (P4)-that are strategically designed as a long-term physician workforce development plan to address health disparities in rural areas. As of January 30, 2024, 3,233 students have earned the MD (Doctor of Medicine) degree at SIU SOM. In total, 770 alumni (33%) are practicing in primary care. Among 901 graduates practicing in Illinois, 484 (54%) are practicing in SIU SOM service area counties (i.e., central and southern Illinois). Social accountability is the core value and organizational identity of SIU SOM and the guiding principle of the school's innovation and excellence.

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