CSIDPAR
(Chicago Summer Institute for the Development of Physicians & Researchers)
Chicago Institute for the Development of Physicians and Researchers (pronounced "sid-par") is a collection of summer programs especially designed for the development of our mentees in the areas of clinical medicine, health equity and research.
We are excited to introduce this brand new programming. The applications are expected to open summer of 2025. We are excited to present opportunities for our mentees that are rising high school juniors and seniors through college and the post-bacc years. Most programs will provide a competitive stipend and will run from 8-10 weeks. Bus passes will be provided. We will require full-time residency in Chicago during the summer and a commitment to complete the program from start to finish. Students will NOT be allowed to work elsewhere.
CSIDPAR Programs Available
JESSE BROWN VA SUMMER SCHOLARS PROGRAM
The Jesse Brown VA Summer Clinical Immersion Program resulted from the collaboration between the community based Physician Mentoring Pipeline Program, I Am Abel Foundation and the Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Hospital, specifically the Jesse Brown for Black Lives Task Force. Recognizing the need for our major academic and training institutions to lead the way in promoting diversity in both society and medicine, we combined our collective research and vision. It is our fervent belief that through our investment in these exceptional Chicago area youth, we will help to close the healthcare equity and death gaps that selectively impact vulnerable, underserved and minority communities. Our shared goal is to diversify the fields of medicine by preparing underrepresented youth to serve their communities with passion, purpose and excellence.
The Jesse Brown VAMC Clinical Immersion Experience provides underrepresented pre- medical students an unparalleled opportunity to gain clinical exposure, while simultaneously attending lectures and completing a quality improvement project. Further, this program provides underrepresented medical students the opportunity to develop and teach lectures, apply their medical knowledge through clinical exposure, strengthen leadership skills through supervision of premedical students, and learn about the intricacies of the VA medical system. The Jesse Brown VA Clinical Immersion Program aims to provide pre-med students an unparalleled clinical, educational, and service experience that will prepare them for their journey in medicine. The selection process for the scholars is highly selective.
Students chosen to participate, have a demonstrated commitment to pursuing a career in medicine and are committed to becoming our next generation of healthcare heroes that will one day provide the highest level of compassionate, competent, and culturally sensitive healthcare to vulnerable populations including many of our U.S. Veterans.
NOTE: Please use Google Chrome or Firefox for opening application.
The programs will be hosted at Chicago area academic centers and hospitals and will provide the kinds of clinical experiences that are more common amongst medical students. We will also be launching our first ever Developmental MCAT Program which is designed to break the MCAT into a Two Summer Study Plan. All of our programs will incorporate Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills as we believe that success in this area of the MCAT must begin early. Our goal with all of our programming, as always, is to help raise the next generation of healthcare heroes. Be advised that COVID-19 restrictions may alter some programming.
DEAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
The DEAL (Diversity Education Advocacy and Leadership) Fellowship represents a wonderful collaboration between the Jesse Brown Veterans Administration, specifically the Jesse Brown for Black Lives Task Force and I Am Abel Foundation.
It is designed to provide a powerful leadership opportunity for Chicago area medical students, specifically, rising M-2s, underrepresented in medicine and includes powerful alliances with the University of Illinois College of Medicine and other area healthcare and social programs. Our DEAL Fellows will be in a leadership role working with the Jesse Brown VA Summer Clinical Immersion Scholars who are all pre-med students and mentees of I Am Abel Foundation with at least one year of involvement in our clinical immersion pipeline programs.
This year, all participating scholars will be rising 2nd year college students or beyond and within 1-3 years of applying to medical school. They will have a broad range of clinical opportunities at the Jesse Brown VA, UIC College of Medicine and Cook County Health that include everything from shadowing on the general internal medicine inpatient teams to working in every area from Emergency Medicine to Radiology. They will also be responsible for a number of projects.
The Jesse Brown VA Summer Clinical Scholars program recognizes the need for our major academic and training institutions to lead the way in promoting diversity both in society and medicine. We have therefore combined our collective research and vision in creating an exceptional summer clinical scholars’ program that is led by none other than talented Chicago area medical students that are committed to diversity, education, advocacy, and leadership.
The DEAL Fellowship provides underrepresented medical students the opportunity to develop and teach lectures, apply their medical knowledge through clinical exposure and strengthen their leadership skills through supervision of premedical students while learning the intricacies of the VA Medical System. Our shared goal is to diversify the fields of medicine by preparing underrepresented young people to serve as we work to close the healthcare equity and death gaps that selectively impact vulnerable, underserved and minority communities.
NOTE: Please use Google Chrome or Firefox for opening application.
The I Am Abel Foundation offers two comprehensive MCAT preparation programs designed to support students on their journey toward medical school:
DEVELOPMENTAL MCAT PROGRAM:
The Developmental MCAT Program is a preparatory pipeline for students planning to take the MCAT within 1-2 years. This program is ideal for students who need to strengthen their academic foundation, address content gaps, and gain valuable hands-on experience through Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and clinical shadowing.
Program Highlights:
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Stipend: Eligible students receive a $2,500 stipend, paid in two installments during their participation.
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Study Materials: All necessary study materials are provided at no cost.
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CARS Practice: Year-round Critical Analysis and Reasoning (CARS) practice to develop reading and reasoning skills.
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Clinical Shadowing: Direct patient contact and clinical experience with Family Christian Health Center and Advocate Health.
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Problem-Based Learning (PBL): Real-world medical scenarios to solidify knowledge of physiology and clinical practices.
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Asynchronous Learning: STEM-focused preparation with instructor support throughout theprogram.
Program Tracks:
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Track 1: Developmental MCAT Program (2026 MCAT)
For students planning to take the MCAT in Spring 26’. This track is designed for students who have completed their prerequisites and need additional preparation to address content gaps before entering the Fall 2025 Intensive Program.
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Track 2: Developmental MCAT Program (2027 MCAT)
For students planning to take the MCAT in 27’. This track is for students who need an additional year to complete their prerequisites before entering the 10-week MCAT Bootcamp series in Summer 2026.
FALL MCAT PROGRAM:
The Fall MCAT Program is tailored for students with a competitive academic background or those who have completed the Developmental MCAT STEM Bootcamp. This program runs from October 2026 to April 2027 and is focused on preparing students for the Spring 27’ MCAT exam through personalized tutoring, group coaching, and intensive review.
Program Highlights:
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Private 1:1 Tutoring & Group Coaching: Customized sessions to ensure students are thoroughly prepared for the MCAT.
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No Stipend: Unlike the Developmental Program, the Fall MCAT Program does NOT offer a stipend.
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Study Materials: All third-party materials, including Blueprint, UWorld, and AAMC resources, are provided at no cost.
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Brem Method: Under the guidance of Amanda Brem, this program employs the highly effective Brem Method, which has consistently led to significant score improvements—often by several standard deviations—in her intensive 5-week program. Our specially designed six month program ensures that students are thoroughly prepared and equipped for success on the exam.
Both programs offer testing accommodation referrals for students with suspected learning disabilities.
MENTAL HEALTH IMMERSION PROGRAM
The Mental Health Immersion Program (MHIP) was created through the combined efforts of the Jesse Brown VA, the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, and the I Am Abel Foundation.
This program aims to provide college students from underrepresented and marginalized backgrounds with exciting clinical and educational exposure to careers in mental health. This exciting new program will run for 8 weeks at both VA sites and will provide a stipend for students plus transportation. For I Am Abel mentees interested in careers in mental health, this is an outstanding opportunity!
Questions regarding the application should be sent to Student Coordinator, Magnolia Oliver at magnoliver@sbcglobal.net
NOTE: Please use Google Chrome or Firefox for opening application.