The VCU DOIM R4L Program: Undergraduate Research Experience and Clinical Shadowing

The Research4Life (R4L) scholar program is a summer scholar program offered by the VCU Department of Internal Medicine (DOIM) and consists of an 8 to 10-week structured medical research experience combined with clinical shadowing experience for VCU undergraduate students from backgrounds that are historically underrepresented in medicine and health-related sciences. The goal of this program is to not only increase the number of underrepresented students who pursue medical education and careers in Medicine and biomedical research but also to stimulate their interest in Internal Medicine’s various subspecialties and career pathways.

Over the course of eight to ten weeks spanning from end of May to end of July (start and end dates are flexible), successful applicants will participate in a research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor, engage with a clinical shadowing experience under the guidance from a Hospitalist attending physician, participate in bi-weekly group meetings centered on preparation for further research, education, and career pathways, and learn about responsible conduct of research, review and discuss 1-2 assigned readings, and attend (optional) departmental grand rounds and research meetings. 

Eligibility: Applicants should be VCU students who are citizens or permanent residents, currently enrolled as a VCU undergraduate, in good academic standing at their program and in either their first, second, third or fourth year of school, have an undergraduate university GPA of 3.3 or higher on a 4.0-point scale or within the top 5 percent of their class, have never been awarded a similar opportunity (previously or concurrently with this award), and must identify with a group traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research (refer to NIH definition).

Please feel free to direct questions or concerns to Dr. Somaya Albhaisi at somaya.albhaisi@vcuhealth.org or Ms. Chantal Henry at chantal.mchenry@vcuhealth.org.

Somaya Albhaisi, MD
Chair, DOIM R4L Summer Scholars Program