U of R Chosen for ASCO's Diversity-Boosting Oncology Internship
The University of Rochester has been chosen by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) as one of five host schools for the inaugural Oncology Summer Internship (OSI) program. This initiative aims to boost diversity in cancer clinical care and research by encouraging more medical students to pursue oncology as a career.
Only 3% of practicing oncologists are Black and 4.7% are Hispanic or Latino, highlighting a significant disparity in the oncology workforce. The OSI program targets rising second-year medical students from populations underrepresented in medicine (UIM). It offers a four-week summer internship, virtual seminars hosted by ASCO, shadowing opportunities with oncology faculty, and mentorship from ASCO members. Participants will also receive funding to attend the ASCO Annual Meeting in 2022.
The University of Rochester's involvement is led by Dr. Carla Casulo. Other participating schools include The Ohio State University, the University of Arizona, UCSF, and the University of Florida. The program is supported by Conquer Cancer, The ASCO Foundation.
By hosting the OSI program, the University of Rochester, along with other selected institutions, is taking a significant step towards addressing the lack of diversity in the oncology field. The program provides valuable opportunities for underrepresented students to explore and potentially pursue careers in oncology.
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