YPI Athens Program at the AU/UGA Medical Partnership
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Founded in 2021, YPI Athens was established to extend the mission of the Youth Physician Initiative to the AU/UGA Medical College of Georgia regional campus in Athens and the broader Athens-Clarke County community. Rooted in the power of mentorship, YPI Athens empowers medical students to lead educational outreach efforts that promote diversity in medicine and reduce barriers to healthcare careers.
YPI Athens began with just three members and has grown to over 27 active participants across the YPI Pipeline Programs. Medical students typically join during their M1 year and complete minor training certification through UGA. |
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YPI Athens Program Overview
- Structured mentorship and teaching sessions: Three sessions per site each semester (9-12 service hours/medical student), with pre- and post-curriculum surveys to track mentee progress
- Interactive medical education: Includes case-based clinical reasoning, fast-paced ER-style triage simulations, and site-customized topics (e.g., PE, MI, colorectal cancer)
- Engagement and inspiration: Guest speakers, panel discussions, and peer-led Virtual Mentorship Circles (in progress) to foster connection and motivation
YPI Athens Community Partners
- Athens Community Career Academy (ACCA)
- Established in 2021, this partnership began with one healthcare class and expanded to two in 2023. To date, over 150 students have been impacted. Key contacts: Catherine Douylliez & Haley Nowell (Healthcare Instructors)
- UGA Health-Associated Student Organizations
- Officially launched in 2024 in collaboration with UGA undergraduates, this effort connects YPI with student groups such as the UGA Red Cross and Minority Student Science Association, reaching approximately 60 students in its first pilot year.
