Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine ASPIRE program

 ASPIRE is a rigorous and immersive, 5-week summer program designed to holistically prepare and transform pre-medical (undergraduate or post-baccalaureate) students who want to pursue a career in medicine and have a desire to advocate for a healthier, more equitable, and just society as physicians-for-others. Our comprehensive curriculum carefully integrates didactic, experiential, reflective, and community-engaged learning; collectively directed on transforming participant knowledge and developmental capacities to successfully navigate the medical school application process, employ systems-thinking about U.S. health disparities, and engage in culturally responsive care and leadership.  As an experiential based learning program, ASPIRE participants deepen conceptual learning through critical self-reflection, clinical shadowing, and community-engaged practices anchored by the unique needs of Loyola Medicine patients, the people of Maywood, IL, and the Greater Chicago Area. The program culminates with a series of individual and group capstone experiences, including a final group-capstone project presented to their peers and invited SSOM faculty, staff, and administrators.