Wy'east: An Innovative, Culturally Responsive Postbaccalaureate Pathway for American Indians and Alaska Natives

Allison Empey; Shoshana Zeisman-Pereyo; Peter Mayinger; Katharine E Zuckerman; Sarah Rasmussen-Rehkopf; Patricia A Carney; Cynthia L Taylor; Cynthia Morris; Amanda Bruegl; Polly Olsen; Erik Brodt

doi:10.1097/ACM.0000000000004587

Wy'east: An Innovative, Culturally Responsive Postbaccalaureate Pathway for American Indians and Alaska Natives

Acad Med. 2022 Apr 1;97(4):512-517. doi: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000004587.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ A. Empey is assistant professor and vice chair for equity, diversity and inclusion, Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon; tribal affiliation: Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Oregon; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6092-1085 .
² S. Zeisman-Pereyo is adjunct assistant professor, Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.
³ P. Mayinger is associate professor, Division of Nephrology & Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.
⁴ K.E. Zuckerman is associate professor, Department of Pediatrics, and affiliate associate professor, School of Public Health, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.
⁵ S. Rasmussen-Rehkopf is senior research assistant, Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon; tribal affiliation: Quileute and Makah, Washington.
⁶ P.A. Carney is professor, Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2937-655X .
⁷ C.L. Taylor is research associate, Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.
⁸ C. Morris is professor, Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.
⁹ A. Bruegl is associate professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon; tribal affiliation: Oneida and Stockbridge-Munsee, Wisconsin.
¹⁰ P. Olsen is a tribal cultural liaison, Burke Museum, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; tribal affiliation: Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Washington.
¹¹ E. Brodt is associate professor, Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon; tribal affiliation: Ojibwe, Minnesota.

PMID: 35020610
DOI: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000004587

Abstract

Problem: American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIANs) face significant health disparities that are exacerbated by limited access to high-quality, culturally congruent health care providers. There are no premedical postbaccalaureate programs focused on AIAN students.

Approach: The Northwest Native American Center of Excellence designed the Wy'east Pathway in 2018 to increase the number of AIANs matriculating to U.S. medical schools by supporting those on the cusp of matriculation. Wy'east scholars undertake 10 months of structured programming to augment their academic preparation, improve their Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores, and enhance their confidence and cultural identity. Cultural events and mentorship opportunities with AIAN faculty, staff, and cultural liaisons are threaded throughout the pathway curriculum to foster cultural resilience, mentorship, and community. Scholars earn conditional acceptance to Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) School of Medicine if they complete Wy'east and meet the following criteria: pass all examinations in the primary curricular threads, obtain a qualifying MCAT score, and meet professionalism standards.

Outcomes: All 14 scholars who successfully completed Wy'east and met criteria in the first 2 cohorts (academic years 2018-2019 and 2019-2020) earned conditional acceptance to OHSU School of Medicine. Ten of the 14 scholars (71.4%) matriculated to OHSU School of Medicine, 2 (14.3%) matriculated to other medical schools, and 2 (14.3%) chose to pursue other health care fields. Wy'east scholars rated the foundational science of medicine and population health and epidemiology threads higher in terms of making them feel better prepared for medical school (mean = 4.71 and 4.83, respectively) than the academic skills and wellness thread (mean = 3.43).

Next steps: Over the next 5 years, Wy'east will grow incrementally to offer a total of 18 conditional acceptance spots per cohort across 3 medical schools. Longitudinal tracking of Wy'east scholars' medical training and career outcomes will be conducted.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Alaska Natives*
American Indian or Alaska Native
College Admission Test
Humans
Indians, North American*
Mentors
Schools, Medical