Skip to main content
Diversity

iDREAM: Incentivizing Diverse Resident Recruitment for Equity in Academic Medicine

The iDREAM (Incentivizing Diverse Recruitment for Equity in Academic Medicine) programs aim to enhance representational diversity among the physician workforce to better reflect the diversity of the populations they teach and serve by identifying and retaining residents from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine (URiM). The iDREAM Resident Scholars Program is designed to support URiM residents to launch careers in academic medicine. The iDREAM Early Incentive Program offers incentives to recruit diverse talent into faculty positions at IU School of Medicine in partnership with clinical affiliates, IU Health and Eskenazi Health. iDREAM PLUS Programs for attending physicians support professional development for career advancement to develop diverse leadership for IU School of Medicine and affiliated health systems.

Programs for Residents and Fellows

a resident in the clinic

iDREAM Resident Scholar

The iDREAM Resident Scholar program is open to all IU School of Medicine residents and fellows, with intentionality towards Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx or other diverse perspectives. Review of applications begin August 1. Applicants will be notified of the status of their proposals in mid-August.
  • A $2,500 resident scholars award may be used over two years in residency. The award may be used for project costs or dissemination efforts.

  • The scholarly projects can be basic science, clinical, behavioral, quality improvement or community-engaged research, as well as medical education or service-learning in nature.

  • Scholars will attend the IU School of Medicine Academic Medicine Career Development Conference for Diverse Medical Students and Residents.

Eligibility

  • IU resident

  • Must submit project proposal, mentorship plan and letter of recommendation

  • Preference given to those from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine, i.e. Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx or other diverse perspectives

  • Candidates must be in good academic standing

Ready to apply for the iDREAM Resident Scholars Program? Learn more about the competitive application process, timeline and requirements:

iDREAM Resident Scholars Application
residents train in the simulation center

iDREAM Early Incentive Program (EIP)

The iDREAM Early Incentive Program (EIP) is open to residents, fellows or residency alumni and provides monthly stipends to trainees in exchange for an early commitment to accept an IU School of Medicine faculty position or a non-faculty position with IU Health or Eskenazi Health. EIP recipients complete a service commitment of equal duration to their stipend period. During their service commitment, iDREAM EIP recipients receive support for professional development through the iDREAM PLUS: Academic Track or the iDREAM PLUS: Community Track. Interest in this program should be expressed to program directors and/or department chairs. Program directors and department chairs can contact Karen Rieger for EIP program details.

EIP Stipends

  • $1,000 per month, with max total of $24,000 for Eskenazi Medical Group
  • $2,000 per month, with a max total of $48,000 for IU Health Indianapolis/suburban Indy placements
  • $2,500 per month, with a max total of $60,000 for IU Health regional placements (Bloomington, Muncie, Lafayette, etc.)
  • $2,500 per month, with a max total of $60,000 for IU Health rural placements, with an additional $10,000 paid at employment start (Jay, Blackford, Paoli, etc.)

Eligibility

  • IU resident, fellow or residency alumni (in an external fellowship program) with no more than two years remaining in training
  • Must complete USMLE licensing requirements prior to signing
  • Must submit a letter of support from unit leader or physician group to protect time for participation in iDREAM PLUS
  • Preference given to those from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine, i.e. Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx or other diverse perspectives

Programs for Attending Physicians

a researcher at work in the lab

iDREAM PLUS: Academic Medicine Track

The iDREAM PLUS Academic Medicine Track is a two year cohort program to support academic career advancement and academic promotion. The professional development curriculum is structured around two pillars of Leadership and Scholarship, covering topics related to research methods, time and productivity management, negotiations and advocacy. Additionally, scholars participate in ‘Connections’ social events, career coaching, wellness programming, and writing accountability groups. Scholars also participate in a longitudinal advising program with the PLUS Advisory Council (PAC), made up of School of Medicine leaders.

Eligibility

Physicians who are employed by IU Health Physicians or Eskenazi Health through the iDREAM EIP Program and hold an IU School of Medicine faculty appointment will be provided 10% protected time, funded through their department, to participate in the iDREAM PLUS Academic Track faculty development programming. Program entry is automatic as an extension of iDREAM EIP participation.

chemen neal, md speaks with a patient in the clinic

iDREAM PLUS: Community Medicine Track

The iDREAM PLUS Community Medicine Track is a 2-3 year cohort program in physician leadership geared toward developing future health system leaders. Topics include change management, effective communication, emotional intelligence, and building high performance teams. Additionally, across both years Scholars participate in ‘Connections’ social events, career coaching, and wellness programming with Academic Track Scholars. Scholars also participate in an Executive Sponsorship program, paired with health system leaders for exposure to key committees and health system projects.

Eligibility

Physicians who are employed by IU Health’s suburban, regional or other community medical groups through the iDREAM EIP will be provider 10% protected time by their medical group to participate in the iDREAM PLUS Community Track leadership development programming. Program entry is automatic as an extension of iDREAM EIP participation.

“PLUS exists to accelerate the rate of career advancement among our URiM faculty and physicians by supporting them in completing scholarly work; providing mentorship and sponsorship for career planning and professional development; and cultivating a sense of community to mitigate experiences of social and/or professional isolation that can threaten URiM physician vitality. In doing so, we hope to develop a leadership pipeline in service of building more diverse academic and clinical leadership teams.”

–B. Tucker Edmonds, Program Developer and Director