OVERVIEW

For over two decades the Association of Minority Health Professions Schools (AMHPS) has promoted a national symposium to:

1) expose underrepresented minority and other high school and undergraduate students to a wide spectrum of career opportunities in biomedical sciences and health professions fields; and

2) provide mentors and role models to facilitate and encourage students to pursue careers in the biomedical sciences and health professions.

The Annual Symposium was established in 1986 in conjunction with the centennial anniversary of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The Symposium is a two day event that allows a diverse group of students the opportunity to interact with well-known minority professionals from a wide spectrum of biomedical sciences and health professions. The Symposium is also an opportunity for biomedical and health professionals to encourage students to enter their respective fields.

Participants are exposed to various biomedical career opportunities through educational workshops, video presentations, interactive sessions, exhibits/posters and entertainment aimed at engaging and motivating students to continue their strong performance and focus on biomedical careers. Over the past fifteen years, well over 10,000 students have participated in the Symposium.

SPONSOR

The Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science has evolved and grown, shaped by the needs of the community it serves. Located in the Watts-Willowbrook section of South Los Angeles, the institution benefits from its location and the corresponding diversity and complexity of its patient population by creating an academic environment unlike any other. Through innovative basic science, the University conducts education, patient care and research programs-training physicians and allied health professionals to provide care to underserved populations.

Following nearly a decade of community-based advocacy for improved medical services, the University was incorporated in August of 1966. In response to the lack of adequate medical facilities in the area, the institution later became a University and changed its name in 1987 to reflect its expanded academic role and identity. The University is named in honor of Dr. Charles R. Drew, a brilliant African-American physician, famous for his pioneering work in blood preservation. His dedication to learning and the sharing of knowledge to benefit mankind is the inspiration for the University.

ABSTRACTS AND POSTER COMPETITION

Students attending the Annual Symposium are encouraged to submit abstracts. All submitted abstracts must adhere to the submission guidelines. Abstracts that are accepted will be entered into the Poster Competition. The deadline for submitting Abstracts is February 17, 2012.

Are you submitting an Abstract? If so, please e-mail it to jamel.slaughter@amhps.org.

*All accepted abstract submissions shall be acknowledged in the Annual Symposium Abstract book.*