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The iDREAM programs enhance representational diversity among the physician workforce to better reflect the diversity of the populations they teach and serve.

Incentivizing Diverse Recruitment for Equity in Academic Medicine (iDREAM)

The Incentivizing Diverse Recruitment for Equity in Academic Medicine (iDREAM) programs aim to enhance representational diversity among the physician workforce to better reflect the diversity of the populations they teach and serve by identifying and retaining physicians from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine (URiM).

The iDREAM Early Incentive Program offers incentives to recruit diverse talent into faculty positions at IU School of Medicine in partnership with clinical affiliates IU Health and Eskenazi Health. iDREAM PLUS Programs for attending physicians support professional development for career advancement to develop diverse leadership for IU School of Medicine and affiliated health systems.

residents train in the simulation center

iDREAM Early Incentive Program (EIP)

The iDREAM Early Incentive Program (EIP) is open to residents, fellows or residency alumni and provides monthly stipends to trainees in exchange for an early commitment to accept an IU School of Medicine faculty position or a non-faculty position with IU Health or Eskenazi Health. EIP recipients complete a service commitment of equal duration to their stipend period. During their service commitment, iDREAM EIP recipients receive support for professional development through the iDREAM PLUS: Academic Track or the iDREAM PLUS: Community Track. Interest in this program should be expressed to program directors and/or department chairs. Program directors and department chairs can contact Liberty Wilken for EIP program details.

EIP Stipends

  • $1,000 per month, with max total of $24,000 for Eskenazi Medical Group
  • $2,000 per month, with a max total of $48,000 for IU Health Indianapolis/suburban Indy placements
  • $2,500 per month, with a max total of $60,000 for IU Health regional placements (Bloomington, Muncie, Lafayette, etc.)
  • $2,500 per month, with a max total of $60,000 for IU Health rural placements, with an additional $10,000 paid at employment start (Jay, Blackford, Paoli, etc.)

Eligibility

  • IU resident, fellow or residency alumni (in an external fellowship program) with no more than two years remaining in training
  • Must complete USMLE licensing requirements prior to signing
  • Must submit a letter of support from unit leader or physician group to protect time for participation in iDREAM PLUS
  • Preference will be given to applicants whose personal statements establish that their background and/or perspective will contribute to IU School of Medicine's diversity, equity and inclusion goals.
a researcher at work in the lab

iDREAM PLUS: Academic Medicine Track

The iDREAM PLUS Academic Medicine Track is a two year cohort program to support academic career advancement and academic promotion. The professional development curriculum is structured around two pillars of Leadership and Scholarship, covering topics related to research methods, time and productivity management, negotiations and advocacy. Additionally, scholars participate in ‘Connections’ social events, career coaching, wellness programming, and writing accountability groups. Scholars also participate in a longitudinal advising program with the PLUS Advisory Council (PAC), made up of School of Medicine leaders.


Eligibility

Physicians who are employed by IU Health Physicians or Eskenazi Health through the iDREAM EIP Program and hold an IU School of Medicine faculty appointment will be provided 10% protected time, funded through their department, to participate in the iDREAM PLUS Academic Track faculty development programming. Program entry is automatic as an extension of iDREAM EIP participation.

chemen neal, md speaks with a patient in the clinic

iDREAM PLUS: Community Medicine Track

The iDREAM PLUS Community Medicine Track is a 2-3 year cohort program in physician leadership geared toward developing future health system leaders. Topics include change management, effective communication, emotional intelligence, and building high performance teams. Additionally, across both years Scholars participate in ‘Connections’ social events, career coaching, and wellness programming with Academic Track Scholars. Scholars also participate in an Executive Sponsorship program, paired with health system leaders for exposure to key committees and health system projects.


Eligibility

Physicians who are employed by IU Health’s suburban, regional or other community medical groups through the iDREAM EIP will be provider 10% protected time by their medical group to participate in the iDREAM PLUS Community Track leadership development programming. Program entry is automatic as an extension of iDREAM EIP participation.

“PLUS exists to accelerate the rate of career advancement among our URiM faculty and physicians by supporting them in completing scholarly work; providing mentorship and sponsorship for career planning and professional development; and cultivating a sense of community to mitigate experiences of social and/or professional isolation that can threaten URiM physician vitality. In doing so, we hope to develop a leadership pipeline in service of building more diverse academic and clinical leadership teams.”

–B. Tucker Edmonds, Program Developer and Director