Training programs to advance care, research, and equity
The Penn Memory Center offers valuable hands-on experience and mentorship through training programs in the areas of social work, research, neuropsychology, communications, and clinical care and is dedicated to creating training opportunities for people from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. These efforts play a vital role in advancing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRDs) care and research and closing health disparity gaps. Funding of our training programs relies on generous donations.
A message from PMC neurologist Dr. Roy Hamilton
Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders of cognition occur in persons from historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups at dramatically higher rates than other populations. Despite the disproportionate impact of neurodegenerative disorders on these persons, engagement of our field with persons communities of has lagged. One of the many factors that contribute to this lack of engagement is the dearth of diversity among persons engaged in dementia research and clinical care.
The Penn Memory Center is strongly committed to contributing to increasing diversity and inclusion in the fields of ageing and neurodegenerative disease research and clinical care. Since 2017, the PMC has hosted the Penn Minority Scholars in Aging Research Program.
This program is a summer research internship that pairs medical students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups with Penn laboratories and investigators to pursue an immersive research experience.
A number of these scholars have gone on to pursue careers in fields that touch on neurodegenerative disorders of cognitions. This year, the Penn ADRC further increased its outreach mission, launching a new Summer Training Program, focusing on creating a mentored research and education internship for regional undergraduates from underrepresented populations.
Generous giving enables the Penn Memory to expand and the scope and impact of programs like these, allowing us to train diverse scholars and engage crucial patient populations.
This content is part of A Celebration of Hope, PMC’s annual fundraiser.