Program Overview

Howard University Mini-Med School Program

The Howard University Mini-Med School program is an initiative by the College of Medicine to introduce young learners to health sciences, patient care, and anatomy. The program culminates in a celebratory "White Coat" ceremony, where each student receives an intentionally oversized short coat, mirroring the medical school tradition that marks the beginning of clinical training.

Program Details

• The program is designed for elementary school students and offers a hands-on introduction to medical education.
• Students learn about various topics, including first aid, dental care, skin care, and anatomy.
• The program is led by College of Medicine faculty and students, who serve as mentors and role models for the young participants.
• Each participating student receives a signed "Oath of Excellence" certificate from the dean of the College of Medicine, encouraging them to strive for academic excellence and community service.

Program Leadership

• The program was led in part by Mark Burke, Ph.D., Professor of Physiology and Biostatistics, in collaboration with medical students, including second-year medical student Akila Islam.
• Other medical students who served as leaders in the program include Madison Sheed, Caitlin Coyne, Anthony Okeh, and Banuja Munasinghe.

Program Impact

• The program aims to inspire young students to pursue careers in medicine and science, promoting diversity and representation in these fields.
• According to Angel S. Byrd, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of dermatology, "The future is bright it's shining like a diamond. This is the pipeline in the making. By reaching our children at a younger age, we're helping build the diverse representation we need in medicine and science."
• The program has received strong support from the broader D.C. education community, with Lewis D. Ferebee, Ed.D., chancellor of District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), attending the Mini White Coat ceremony to celebrate the partnership between Howard University and local schools.