How Does a Learner-Driven Pre-Health Pathway Program for Underrepresented Minority Students Impact Participants?

Pre-health pathway programs provide an important learning environment for students seeking careers in health care. We aim to assess how the Bronx Community Health Leaders (BxCHL), a longitudinal and learner-driven mentorship program for socioeconomically disadvantaged students and students belonging to groups underrepresented in medicine (URiM), affects the students' personal and professional development. We conducted a survey and analyzed the responses from 61 students who participated in the program for various lengths of time. Quantitative assessment shows measurable changes in the students' knowledge, skills, and attitudes toward health care careers. The qualitative assessment identified six themes that highlight perceived changes in students' confidence, personal/professional growth, mentorship, leadership skills, agents of change, and community service. The BxCHL's program student-driven design positively affects the students' readiness to enter health care professions.