The MKE Health Scholars Program | The Medical College of Wisconsin School of Medicine

The Medical College of Wisconsin School of Medicine facilitates the MKE Health Scholars Program, a leadership training track and workforce development program aimed at increasing the number of our graduates who stay and practice in the City of Milwaukee.

Our Mission

Our mission is to support medical training while assisting in reducing the cost associated with your training experience and empowering you to lead in medical school and beyond.

MHS Key Elements

This four-year-long, integrated, longitudinal program will use a place-based education approach to train medical students to advance health in the City of Milwaukee.

Financial Support
Leadership Training
Psychosocial Support
Living-Learning Community

Financial Support

All MHS Scholars will receive a full tuition scholarship to MCW-Milwaukee.

Leadership Training

All MHS Scholars will be trained to expertly care for and serve Milwaukee residents through the fostering of connection to place and a sense of belonging, first-hand knowledge of physical and recreational assets of the Milwaukee community, and the development of social networks.

Psychosocial Support

Psychosocial support involves learning the daily practices needed to have a sustainable and joyful career in medicine.

Living-Learning Community

MHS scholars will have the opportunity to live in one of the new apartments in the ThriveOn King building in Milwaukee. MHS will also be housed at the ThriveOn King office building. This arrangement supports MHS’ place-based educational approach, equipping MHS scholars to merge their lived and practical learning experiences when counseling patients and connecting them to appropriate resources.

Eligibility

We are looking for applicants who have a demonstrable interest in practicing medicine in the City of Milwaukee and will support these students’ growth into physician-leaders who can transform healthcare alongside the Milwaukee residents they serve.

Enrollment in MHS is first contingent upon meeting all of the pre-matriculation requirements for the School of Medicine and being admitted to MCW-Milwaukee School of Medicine.
Have a demonstrated financial need.

*MCW MHS has no influence on which applicants are accepted into the School of Medicine and operates as a separate leadership training track.

Application

MHS is a training track within the MCW-Milwaukee’s School of Medicine Regular MD program. Acceptance into MHS is contingent upon acceptance into MCW-Milwaukee. If you are accepted to MCW-Milwaukee and meet the eligibility criteria for MHS, you will be invited to apply for MHS via email.

A select number of MHS applicants who submit the written MHS application will be invited for a virtual interview. All invitations to interview for MHS will be sent via email. Selection factors for MHS include the MHS written application, experiences, interest in and aptitude for health equity work, and the personal interview.

Helpful Information

Submit your primary application through AMCAS and choose the Regular MD program.
On the secondary application, designate MCW-Milwaukee as your campus preference.
Applicants who are accepted into MCW-Milwaukee and meet MHS eligibility requirements will receive an additional application for MHS via email.
Interviews for MHS will take place virtually and will be granted to eligible applicants who have been accepted into MCW-Milwaukee and have completed the MHS written application.

Note: You are strongly advised to apply and complete your primary and secondary applications early.

Meet the Inaugural Cohort

MCW’s first MHS cohort is thrilled to begin their medical education journey with an intentional focus on addressing Milwaukee’s shortage of physicians.

Gani Ali

MKE Health Scholar, Class of 2028

Ciara Ayala

MKE Health Scholar, Class of 2028

Alex Rafael Martinez Colindres

MKE Health Scholar, Class of 2028

Miracle Powell

MKE Health Scholar, Class of 2028

Dalicia Simpson

MKE Health Scholar, Class of 2028

Meet Our Planning Team

The MHS Planning Team: MHS was implemented following a year-long needs assessment and design process conducted by a dedicated, experienced, and creative team of MCW faculty, staff, students, and leaders from the City of Milwaukee who have expertise in the city’s needs and who are heavily invested in its growth and thriving. The needs assessment included key stakeholder interviews, focus groups, and a comprehensive literature review. The resulting design of MHS reflects a collaborative, place-based approach to workforce development in medical school.