I want to be a physician because I want to advocate for people who can't advocate for themselves. Growing up in Detroit, I saw a great need for doctors who go out into the community and advocate for health rights for underserved populations like the homeless or those in poverty. As a doctor I wish to be on the forefront of medical changes but also out in the greater Detroit community helping those people who can't afford to see a doctor regularly.                               -Jasmine Coles-Wayne Med-Direct cohort 2016

Wayne State University's medical education history runs back 150 years. Since its establishment in 1868 as the Detroit Medical College, the WSU School of Medicine has been driven by the passion for its community and dedication to urban clinical excellence. Through a continuous focus on innovation in education, research and clinical care, the School of Medicine continues to graduate a diverse group of physicians who go on to transform the promise of equal health care for all into a reality. Being a premier research institution located in the heart of Midtown, Wayne State University is committed to reducing health disparities in its community utilizing its research expertise. In alignment with this commitment, Wayne Med-Direct program was established under the leadership of President M. Roy Wilson, and the first cohort of Med-Direct students was enrolled in fall 2016.

Program mission

The mission of the Wayne Med-Direct Program is to engage students in research and patient care and educate them about urban health disparities to take the lead on improving health and wellness of our urban and underserved communities on a local, national and global scale, in their capacities as future physicians.