In May 2020, Indiana University School of Medicine graduated over 300 new physicians. Among those physicians are trailblazers – first-generation students who are now doctors.
First-generation is an identifier that typically means the student is the first person in their immediate family to obtain a college degree. This is a unique situation for students who find themselves in medicine. It was only in 2018 when the Association of American Medical Colleges started collecting data about matriculating medical students who identify as first-generation.
We know the needs of first-generation students are different from other students. In response to this need, in summer 2018, the First Generation Committee was created at IU School of Medicine with the leadership of Lauren Henninger, Lead Advisor, Dr. Emily Walvoord, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and a group of medical students. Since then, this committee has hosted networking events that bring together first-generation students, faculty, and staff from across IU School of Medicine. They look forward to continuing to grow their programming in support of our first-generation student population at IU School of Medicine.
This year, while we are not able to celebrate in person, the First Generation Committee wishes to congratulate our new first-generation physicians who will join the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic as residents. We commend your resilience, perseverance, and bravery to never be afraid to be the first.
Congratulations IU School of Medicine Class of 2020 First-Gen Graduates!
First Generation Committee IU School of Medicine
