A call to action: increasing health providers in underrepresented populations through the military.

The state of the nation's health and healthcare disparities looms large and is currently at crisis proportions, so much so, that these issues have been advanced as a national priority. These disparities are known to disproportionately afflict minorities and disadvantaged groups who become predisposed to certain risks. However, in light of the ever increasing racial and ethnic diversity of the American population, the visible absence of underrepresented minorities (URMs) in the health professions needed to meet these growing needs continues to fuel these crises.

Identifying themes within a medical school admission committee's reviews of applicants.

Background: Admissions committees attempt to select the most qualified applicants based on many cognitive and "noncognitive" factors.

Purpose: Identify common themes cited in the admissions committee member summaries of medical school matriculants and determine the relative frequency and importance of these themes.

Methods: After reviewing a convenience sample of 150 reviewer comments, 14 qualitative themes were identified.

Exploring the relationship between self-reported research experience and performance in medical school and internship.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between self-reported research experience and medical students' performance in medical school and internship.

Methods: We collected data from seven year-groups (1993-1999; N = 1,112) and examined 7 performance outcomes: medical school preclinical grade point average (GPA), medical school clinical GPA, cumulative medical school GPA, U.S.

Does self-reported clinical experience predict performance in medical school and internship?

Context: Medical school admissions committees attempt to select the most qualified applicants. In addition to traditional performance measures, committees often look favourably upon applicants who report previous clinical experience.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine if self-reported clinical experience is a valid indicator of future performance in medical school and internship.

History of U.S. military contributions to the study of diarrheal diseases.

Diarrhea, a scourge upon humanity since preliterate times, has been the particular nemesis of military forces. The Armed Forces of the United States have been in the forefront in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diarrheal illness. U.