The Medical Careers and Emergency Preparedness Initiative (MedCEEP) was established to address persistent healthcare inequities, including inadequate healthcare, low health literacy, and disproportionate rates of violence, which disproportionately affect communities on Chicago’s South and West Sides. To help combat these challenges, MedCEEP empowers young people in these areas by equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to address critical health issues. With the goal of increasing the number of youth who possess life-saving health emergency response skills, more than 7,000 youth and adults have received high-quality training from MedCEEP.
Systemic injustices and limited access to quality healthcare have significantly impacted underserved Chicago communities for decades. To address this challenge and narrow the health equity gap, MedCEEP offers a Medical Careers Exposure In-School Program. This program delivers a comprehensive six-session curriculum directly to high schools on Chicago’s South and West Sides. It includes hands-on emergency preparedness training, enabling young people to recognize and respond to life-threatening medical emergencies and potentially save lives within their communities. Additionally, the program introduces students to diverse health-related career paths through immersive experiences and mentorship, aiming to inspire youth to pursue medical careers and ultimately increasing representation in the field.
The Girls Opportunity Alliance Fund will support MedCEEP in building sustainable programming infrastructure at Kenwood Academy in Chicago. This includes supporting a core group of 40 student leaders–primarily young women–who currently serve as peer mentors and role models, driving the program’s expansion. These leaders have already made a significant impact, reaching more than 400 Chicago Public School students in 2024. Specifically, these peer leaders will participate in workshops focused on trauma, violence, and conflict resolution, and they will gain exposure through medical career panels and medical simulations.
MedCEEP is more than just an educational initiative; it is a catalyst for change. With a profound commitment to social justice and health equity, MedCEEP is empowering young people to take charge of their health and pursue careers in medicine, building a healthier, more equitable, and vibrant future for Chicago’s South and West Sides.
For more information about MedCEEP, please visit the organization’s website.
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