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VISN 17 Center of Excellence

Leveraging Access to Undergraduates for Careers in Healthcare (VA-LAUNCH)

The VA Leveraging Access to Undergraduates for Careers in Healthcare (VA-LAUNCH) is a program co-developed by the VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans (CoE), the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS), and the VHA VISN 17 Network Office in collaboration with minority-serving academic institutions. The program combines a summer intensive experiential component with a yearlong mentorship curriculum that combines individualized mentorship on graduate/medical school application preparation, and administrative, clinical, and research rotations for undergraduate students interested in pursuing careers in medicine, mental healthcare, or the biomedical sciences.

Summer Institute

The summer intensive component is a full-time experience where, over two weeks, students participate in clinical, administrative, and research rotations allowing them to explore the diverse healthcare careers that exist within the VA system. The purpose of the two-week full-time experience is to provide research experience, clinical shadowing, and professional development that can help launch motivated undergraduates into advanced careers in the fields of medicine, research or mental health service. The program provides funding for expenses associated with the two-week stay in Waco, Texas. During this time students will have the opportunity to participate in:

  • Clinical rotations through Central Texas Health Care System clinics
  • Didactic seminar series and experiential instruction on research processes
  • One-on-one mentoring in preparation for graduate and medical school applications
  • Research shadowing in biological, neuroimaging, and psychological laboratories
  • Administrative and leadership shadowing

Career Mentoring

Additionally, as part of our two–semester virtual mentoring component, students are paired with providers as individual mentors to receive mentoring and support in preparation for graduate and medical school applications and development of a small independent project. Through these experiences, our interns will develop a strong foundation putting them on a path towards future careers with the VA or other medical centers.

Requirements

  • Current enrollment at Prairie View A&M University
  • Motivated and driven towards careers in medicine or mental health
  • High interest in psychology, neuroscience, or medicine
  • Interest in experiential learning
  • Willing to commit two weeks to summer training in Waco, Texas

How to Apply

Prairie View A&M students, apply HERE


For questions about this training program, please contact Dr. Laura Zambrano-Vazquez at laura.zambrano-vazquez@va.gov






VISN 17 Center of Excellence
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