An Ecosystem for Greater Diversity in Ophthalmology The Kellogg Eye Center has a history of fostering diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives to address disparities in eye care and improve the underrepresentation of minority populations in ophthalmic care delivery, research participation and provider education.
Dan Balikov, M.D., Ph.D. (center) mentors MOP participants Jonathan Herrera (left) and Tochukwu Ndukwe (right)
While minority populations com-
prise 31% of the U.S. population, notes Dr. Ariane Kaplan, Kellogg's medical
Ariane Kaplan, M.D.
student clerkship director, only 6% of
experience in basic ophthalmology surgical skills via a surgical
practicing ophthalmologists come from
simulator and suture practice.
under-represented in medicine (URM)
cohorts. She points to studies that show
a key aspect of the program for Ndukwe, who says Kellogg
patients are more likely to trust health-
ophthalmologist Joshua Ehrlich, M.D., M.P.H, was an influential
care physicians they can identify with —
mentor who “supported my passion for health equity research.”
those with similar ethnic backgrounds,
Being connected with resident and faculty mentors was
“Faculty mentoring enables students to foster relationships
cultural experiences and race.
“
The Michigan Ophthalmology Pipeline
(MOP) program at Kellogg encourages medical students from diverse backgrounds to explore ophthalmology early in their education. The innovative longitudinal mentorship program brings together medical students, ophthalmology residents and Kellogg faculty to create a supportive ecosystem. The goal of MOP is to both
tion for residency as well as career advice along the way,” notes Dr. Kaplan, who led the creation and development of the MOP program. The program also provides
AS WE SEE MORE STUDENTS FROM
DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS PURSUING
MEDICAL CAREERS IN OPHTHALMOLOGY, WE WILL BETTER REPRESENT THE
PATIENT POPULATIONS WE SERVE
encourage interest in ophthalmology and to help students to build
— Tochukwu Ndukwe
strong residency applications regardless of the specialty they choose.
“
at Kellogg, which can help with letters of recommenda-
assistance to help mentees better prepare for national board examinations. For participating residents, the program provides an opportunity to gain early experience as a physician-mentor and develop the skills necessary for a lifetime of teaching and leadership. “Our MOP program is important
because it gives medical students early
Fourth-year medical student Tochukwu
exposure to ophthalmology, which is not a
Ndukwe, one of two MOP students applying to
requirement within the medical school curriculum
ophthalmology residency programs this year, says the
and often goes unexplored,” says Dr. Kaplan. “We want to
mentorship has helped him in significant ways. “I was able
get it on their radar earlier.” The benefits of promoting diversity
to get involved in the field in my first year of medical school.
in the ophthalmology field expand beyond medical students and
That’s when I realized ophthalmology was for me,” says
residents, says Dr. Kaplan.
Ndukwe. “Early on, I got a better sense of the world of
ophthalmology.”
ing medical careers in ophthalmology, we will better represent
the patient populations we serve, which may help reduce
During the program, medical students receive one-on-one
“As we see more students from diverse backgrounds pursu-
mentorship from Kellogg’s ophthalmology residents and faculty,
observed disparities in eye care and vision health.”
including clinical and OR experience. This frequent, personal
connection provides the guidance and experience helpful for
in ophthalmology really made me who I am, and makes me want
early success. In addition to clinical skills, students get hands-on
to pay that forward,” says Ndukwe.
“The program’s emphasis on inclusion to increase diversity
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