Fellowship in Social Justice, Equity Administration and Leadership

About the Fellowship

The Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences seeks medical students or biomedical sciences graduate students to work on projects that address social, educational or health care inequities.

This fellowship provides an opportunity to develop leadership skills to advance equity and justice in institutional settings and community-based organizations, and advance the Jacobs School’s mission to create a supportive learning environment.

Fellows will develop a project in concert with a mentor in the Jacobs School, an administrative unit or an affiliated institution.

Fellows will work on the research and design, implementation or analysis of a project related to equity and justice. Projects provide experience in creating institutional change, such as policy development or process improvement, and working in interprofessional clinical or administrative teams.

Fellows will meet with mentors who will assist in developing a work plan and monitor progress.

Fellows devote 120 hours, working with a project team, to identify factors that contribute to success in advancing social equity and justice in institutions.

Projects are expected to be completed in a period of 12 months, from the appointment date of June 1, 2023.

A public presentation during the month of April, will be taking place to engage and inform our Jacobs School Community of the status and findings of each project. 

Timeline of the Fellowship

Eligibility

Medical, master’s and doctoral graduate students training under a faculty member with a primary appointment in the Jacobs School are eligible to apply.

Funding

$3,500 per project and funding for fellowship-related supplies and travel to present at local or a national meeting.

Award Selection and Announcement

Applications will be reviewed and selected each year by a taskforce selected by Diversity, Inclusion, and Learning Environment Committee.

Contact

For questions about this fellowship, please contact smbs-inclusion@buffalo.edu.

Start your Application

2023 Recipients

Maria Urbina Castillo, MD'26 and Fernando Bomfim, MD'26.

Maria Urbina Castillo, MD ’26 and Fernando Bomfim, MD ’26  

“Unidos por la Salud: A Pathway to Improving Latino Health in Buffalo”

Alyssa Reese, MD’24.

Alyssa Reese, MD ’24

“Integrating Community Resource Utilization to Decrease Length of Administratively Necessary Hospital Stays of Pediatric Psychiatric Patients”

Salma Attai, MD ’24.

Salma Attai, MD ’24

“Health Literacy Amongst WNY Refugees and Immigrants”

Patrick Crossen, MD ’26 and Perya Bhagchandani, MD ’26.

Patrick Crossen, MD ’26 and Perya Bhagchandani, MD ’26

“Hidden in Plain Site: Adressing Structural Barriers to Dermatological Care in Buffalo, NY”

I’Yanna Scott, MD ’24.

I’Yanna Scott, MD ’24

“Identifying Barriers to Bystander CPR Training and Use Among Communities of Color in Buffalo, New York”

Amanda Bahgat, MD ’25, Danielle Falkenstein, MD ’25, Andrea Alfonsi, MD ’24 and Ascharya Balaji, MD ’25.

Amanda Bahgat, MD ’25; Danielle Falkenstein, MD ’25; Andrea Alfonsi, MD ’24 and Ascharya Balaji, MD ’25

“Exploring and Addressing the Gaps in Medical Education Regarding Indigenous Healthcare”

Malaika de Weever, MD ’25 and Mackenzie Cronin, MD ’25.

Malaika de Weever, MD ’25 and Mackenzie Cronin, MD ’25

“Understanding Socioeconomic Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening in African American Communities in Order to Develop Effective Screening Initiatives Grounded in Restoring Health Equity”

In Collaboration

Maeanna Merrill, MD’26 and Clayton Shanahan, MD’25.

Maeanna Merrill, MD ’26 and Clayton Shanahan, MD ’25

“Connecting Communities: MedEd and LGBTQIA+ Advocacy”

Juliana Greene, MD '26, Elisha Earley, MD '26 and Madison Clague, MD '26.

Juliana Greene, MD '26, Elisha Earley, MD '26 and Madison Clague, MD '26  

“LGBTQ+ Healthcare in Buffalo, NY: Climate and Paths to Equity”

View Fellowship Projects