The root causes of widespread health inequities—including racial and ethnic discrimination, gender inequality, environmental injustices, and the marginalization of LGBTQ+ individuals—require urgent attention from health care professionals. Many medical students are passionate about addressing these issues and advocating for their future patients but find themselves lacking the necessary skills to enact systemic change at the societal level. These skills include understanding how to engage in policy reform, advocacy, and political activism on both a local and global scale.

This course will allow students to recognize they can make change as a student, resident, and beyond, even if they do not hold political or administrative positions. This course will empower emerging medical leaders with the tools and knowledge to become effective advocates in medicine and drive meaningful change.

Module Available: module I

Course Director: Nancy Neilson