The 11-month Blaze to MD program is an initiative designed to help address physician shortage by identifying and working with students who have the potential to succeed in medicine and need more academic preparation to be competitive in the medical school environment.

The department's new Primary Care Pathway sets aside seats specifically for Blaze to MD students interested in primary care and offers:

• Wide-ranging educational experiences in primary care, leadership, cultural awareness and behavioral health.
• A sense of community and the opportunity to participate in collaborative learning with like-minded people.
• Stipends to decrease medical school debt.

The students selected for the Department of Family and Community Medicine’s Blaze to MD Primary Care Pathway will enjoy:

• Service learning examining the social determinants of health
• Clinical shadowing of a primary care physician
• Mentorship by current medical students and faculty
• Field trips to an outpatient clinic, hospital, etc.
• Enriched educational experiences in behavioral health, social determinants of health, cultural competency, practice transformation, telehealth and working with interprofessional teams
• History and physical exam simulation experience
• Learning modules that enhance knowledge in key areas of primary care and the Comprehensive Urban Underserved and Rural Experience program

Learn more about the Blaze to MD program and application process on the Heersink School of Medicine website. 

Meet the Blaze to MD Primary Care Team

Daniel Fijabi, M.D.
Director, Blaze to MD Primary Care Postbaccalaureate Program

Stephanie West
Program Coordinator, Blaze to MD Primary Care Postbaccalaureate Program
slwest@uabmc.edu

 

Adrienne Fowler Payne
Program Director, CU²RE Program
alfowler@uabmc.edu

The CU2RE Program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $16 million with 10% financed with non¬governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.