Program Overview

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Introduction to the Utah Summer Training Academy for Rising Stars (USTARS) Program

The University of Utah School of Medicine Departments of Surgery, Anesthesiology, Otolaryngology, Neurosurgery, and Orthopedics host the Utah Summer Training Academy for Rising Stars (USTARS) Program. This program is designed for rising stars interested in academic surgery or anesthesiology.

Program Overview

The USTARS Program is a robust 6-week summer program focused on professional identity development, perioperative and intraoperative skills development, exposure to clinical care, and understanding of research principles. The program has two distinct pathways tailored toward candidates interested in Surgery or Anesthesiology. Two candidates will participate in the anesthesiology track, while the other students will participate in the surgery track based on their declared interest.

Program Faculty and Mentorship

The program faculty are experts in their fields and are committed to training and sharing their experience with the next generation of surgeons and anesthesiologists. Mentorship is the central component of the USTARS program, and each participant is paired with a resident mentor and a faculty mentor. Longitudinal mentorship is also provided to participants beyond the 6-week program.

Program Activities and Benefits

In addition to the formal curriculum, program participants will have the opportunity to meet informally with additional faculty within the Departments of Surgery, Anesthesiology, Otolaryngology, Neurosurgery, and Orthopedics. The program includes scheduled social activities to expose participants to the rich culture and natural beauty of Salt Lake City, Utah. Participants will also receive:

• Free on-campus student housing
• Free UTA TRAX public transportation pass
• Competitive stipend of $3,000
• $500 airfare reimbursement
• Cascading and longitudinal mentorship
• Social activities

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the USTARS Program, candidates must:

1. Demonstrate a commitment to increasing the number of and/or improving the educational experience of physicians and medical students from underserved backgrounds in medicine.
2. Be in good academic standing and have completed their first year of medical school (MS1) at an allopathic or osteopathic school in the United States.
3. Have an interest in a career in surgery or be curious to explore a career in surgery.
4. Be able to travel to Salt Lake City and participate fully in all program activities for the 6-week period.

Program Highlights

The USTARS Program offers a unique and comprehensive experience, including:

1. 6-week summer immersive program in academic surgery with structured curriculum
2. Free on-campus student housing
3. Free UTA TRAX public transportation pass
4. Competitive stipend of $3,000
5. $500 airfare reimbursement
6. Cascading and longitudinal mentorship
7. Social activities

Application Process

The application process for the USTARS Program includes submitting:

• A one-page personal statement describing the candidate's unique background and experiences and how the program can help them achieve their academic and career goals.
• A current curriculum vitae (CV).
• A letter of good academic standing from the Dean of Academic Affairs.

Program Schedule

The USTARS Program will run from May 18, 2025, to July 3, 2025. Applications are accepted from February 19 to March 7, 2025.

USTARS Scholars

The USTARS Program has a list of notable scholars, including:

• 2025 Scholars: Jalyn White, Claire Tinkler, Nyla Outlaw, Jasmin Yasari
• 2024 Scholars: Alexis Kitchens, Amos Flomo, Ayomide Ogunsakin, Brandon Carr, Michael Brown, Olivia Griswold, Prince Alino
• 2023 Scholars: Nia Bard, Keenya Frazier, Branden Middleton, Da’Jhai Monroe, Chukwudalu Ononenyi
• 2022 Scholars: Ashley Medley, Nkemdirim Ugochukwu, Ingrid Adaeze Okonta

USTARS Resident Mentors

The USTARS Program has a list of resident mentors, including:

• Fidel Lopez-Verdugo, MD
• Dalton D. Hegeholz, MD
• Kartemus Heary, MD
• Markus A. Boesl, MD
• Sarah E. Schoenhals, MD

Scholars' Notable Achievements

The USTARS Program scholars have achieved notable success, including:

• Keenya Frazier successfully submitted a research abstract to the American Rhinologic Society at COSM.
• Nkemdirim Ugochukwu was a contributing author in a publication on geospatial analysis of patients' social determinants of health.
• Ashley Medley was accepted to present at the Southwestern Surgical Conference.