Fostering Conversations: Supporting First-Generation/Low-Income Students in Medicine

Abstract

The First-Generation/Low-Income Students in Medicine organization was founded in November 2020, after a small group of students recognized a lack of support and representation for first generation and low-income students at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. In the past year, we have organized various events for medical students, residents, and faculty to support their well-being and create spaces for participants to share about their identities. We would like to highlight the wide spectrum of socioeconomic backgrounds that the University of Virginia School of Medicine students represent -- backgrounds that provide students with unique cultural, social, and financial experiences that improve patient care while simultaneously creating difficult obstacles for these students to succeed. Students from low-income/first-generation backgrounds often feel isolated during their educational journeys, so we hope to host a discussion in order to elevate the voices of such students while highlighting the good that can come from having more open conversations about disparities within the growing healthcare field. Conversations with faculty, residents, and medical students have already shown to be helpful in small group spaces. Recognition of the challenges that students face, as well as the skills that they have to contribute, is important for sustaining a diverse healthcare workforce.