The Office of Diversity and Inclusion actively pursues efforts to recruit, retain and promote diverse faculty while at the same time supporting students. This goal can be achieved by continually working to create a culture that embraces being inclusive of groups (e.g., LGBT+) that have been historically excluded. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion provides programs and resources to LGBT+ faculty and students.

These efforts can include career support, mentoring, and hands-on learning experiences designed to help them negotiate the stressful course of academic medicine and medical school.

LBGT+ Professional Associations

• AAMC: Making medical schools a welcoming environment for LGBT faculty and leaders 
• Center for Population Research in LGBT Health
• Endocrine Treatment of Transsexual Persons
• Fenway Community Health
• Gay and Lesbian Medical Association 
• GLBT Medical Students of Canada
• GLSEN Safe Space Kit
• HRC Healthcare Equality Index
• Joint Commission LGBT Field Guide
• National Summit on LGBT Medical Education
• Straight for Equality healthcare guide

The Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MMS)  program is one of the First Generation Diverse Medical Student pipelines at Creighton School of Medicine (SOM). It is a program aimed at filling a gap in advance of students pursuing careers in medicine or other health care professions.

Creighton University School of Medicine’s Mini-Medical School

The Creighton School of Medicine’s Mini-Medical School (MMS) is focused on 7-9^th grade First Generation diverse students. Our definition of First Generation refers to disadvantaged, Underrepresented in Medicine (URMs),  and Underserved (rural) students whose parents have never completed a four-year degree at an American accredited institution of higher education. The MMS pipeline program is 32 hours of contact spanning eight Saturday (7-11 AM) sessions. The program is offered once a year roughly from March till June.

The sessions are held at Creighton University. The content of the MMS sessions include a range of health-related topics, research and experiential exercises that are designed to motivate diverse First Generation students to consider careers in medicine or other health care professions.

We have established partnership agreements with several local schools. These partner pipeline schools recommend potential students and their parents for MMS admission consideration. At least one parent or legal guardian must be in full attendance during every MMS session. Parents or legal guardians are also required to participate in a separate First Generation Parent program. During session three, parents and students are introduced to the process of moving towards applying to medical school. During the last MMS session, there is a graduation program for parents and students who have successfully completed the curriculum where they are awarded certificates.

The Creighton MMS completed application includes five required steps:

• A signed parent consent/permission form
• A signed partnership recommendation form (includes a math science teacher and school administrator) from an approved partner school site
• A MMS First Generation application form
• A $20 non-refundable application certified check made payable to Creighton Medical School
• An attendance and behavior agreement signed by the parents and student

All of the above information must be accurate, complete and are required in advance in order to have the MMS application considered for review. Incomplete or late applications are not considered. Students failing to submit a complete application are not reviewed for admission. Returning MMS students are required to resubmit their application each year.


Just like real medical school, the MMS admission process is very competitive. This means that you are evaluated against other parents and students for our MMS. Academic potential, disposition, motivation, endorsements, teamwork mentality and goodness of fit are some of the criteria used to determine admission to MMS.  After receiving completed application we offer invitations to the finalist for on-campus interviews (parents/legal guardian and students). Students not selected are offered slots in our Aspiring Medical and Health Care Special Interest Group.

The MMS application deadline for required forms and fee each year is Martin Luther King Day (MLK Day). All admission notifications are sent out via email before the last Friday in February each year.

Rurality through Rural Doctors & School-Age Student Pipelines 2021

There are glaring health care disparities in rural communities are too little surprise associated with challenges associated with recruiting and retaining doctors. The problems are mirrored in the paucity of medical schools that provide rural training options.  Creighton offers access to an MPH program for students who reside in rural areas. Depending on the specialty, rural rotations at CHI Health may also be available. The shortages in physicians reflect a decrease in students from rural areas who are enrolled in medical school. 

In 2021, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion will initiate a nationwide student-doctor pipeline initiative aimed at attracting more rural school-age students by exposing them early to career options in medicine or other health care professions.

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is in the planning stages of developing a medically-based science pipeline program aimed at diverse First Generation elementary students. One of the goals is to provide interactive experiences that increase their awareness of science as it is applied to medicine and other health professions. Please watch for more details on our Office of Diversity and Inclusion webpage.

TBA