High School
Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
M.I.N.D.S. (Medical Internship Navigating Diversity and Science) is a 6-week paid internship for underrepresented or financially disadvantaged high school juniors and seniors who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine. Interns will learn about different medical professions, health disparities in New Jersey, and the social determinants of health.
Please note: We have received reports that individuals posing as Seton Hall University or M.I.N.D.S. staff have contacted applicants and requested personal and private information, including, but not limited to, social security numbers and birth certificates. As it relates to M.I.N.D.S., such personal information will NOT be requested until after acceptance, and only for the purpose of processing your stipend and for IRS documentation. Please DO NOT provide this information to anyone without first contacting Tadé Ayeni, EdD by phone AND email (Tade.Ayeni@hmhn.org).
2021 M.I.N.D.S. Program
Accepted interns will receive:
- $1, 200 stipend
- CPR/BLS and Narcan Certification
- SAT Prep for 1 year
- Hands on medical experiencees
- Field trips to community organizations, universities
- And more!
Eligible Candidates:
- Must begin their junior or senior year in September 2021
- Must identify as African American, Latinos/Hispanic American, and Native American (American Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian), first generation, OR financially disadvantaged
- Must complete an application
- Must submit an unofficial transcript with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Must provide 1 recommendation letter from a teacher, principal, guidance counselor, or community leader
- Must submit a 500 word essay that answers the prompt, “Why are you interested in pursuing a career in medicine?”
Competitive applicants will be invited for an in-person interview. The deadline for receipt of applications is May 17, 2021. Accepted applicants will be notified by July 1, 2021.
Statistics from the 2019 Application Pool:
- 145 students applied
- 3.67 Average GPA
- 81% identified as female, 18% as male
Questions?
Tadé Ayeni, EdD
Director of the Office of Diversity and Equity
Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
123 Metro Blvd., Building 123, Nutley, NJ, 07110
Tade.Ayeni@hmhn.org
(717) 827-7892
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the dates the internship is held?
The internship will be held July 20–August 27th, Monday–Thursday.
Where is the internship held?
The internship will be held at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine located at 340 Kingsland St Nutley, NJ 07110. Interns will be working Monday–Thursday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
If COVID-19 regulations prevent the internship from being held in-person, the program will still take place virtually on the same dates (07/20 – 08/27) with a modified daily schedule.
Does the internship provide transportation?
A shuttle will be provided for interns to and from Seton Hall University located at 400 South Orange Ave South Orange, NJ 07079 to the School of Medicine. The shuttle will leave Seton Hall University PROMPTLY at 8:30 a.m. and return at 5 p.m.
Will the internship provide lunch for the interns?
Interns will be given notice if lunch will be provided on any given day during the internship. Students are encouraged to bring their own meals, but lunch can also be bought from the café on campus.
Do interns have to complete exams?
Yes! Each week interns will be tested on SAT material and medical knowledge.
Application Information
The application portal for the 2021 Medical Internship Navigating Diversity and Science (MINDS) is now open. Please submit a fully completed and accurate application, along with all supplementary documents to be considered.
The entry deadline has expired.
Office of Diversity and Equity
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Tadé Ayeni, Ed.D
Director of Diversity & Equity
The Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine is excited to announce the appointment of Tade Ayeni, Ed.D. as Director of the Office of Diversity and Equity effective April 6, 2020. Dr. Ayeni (Tade) is joining us from Eastern Washington University (EWU), where he serves as a faculty member and academic advisor. Dr. Ayeni has over 10 years’ experience in various administrative departments in student affairs at EWU and Spokane Community College, where he has been responsible for a range of programs related to improving student persistence, retention and success. He has also served as a lecturer in the Masters in Administrative & Nonprofit Leadership Program at EWU in a course addressing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Dr. Ayeni received his bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University where he was first introduced to the study of societal inequities and people who have been historically marginalized. Subsequently he completed a Master’s Degree in English Literature at Fairleigh Dickinson University, and a doctorate in Higher Education Leadership at Saint Joseph’s University. His dissertation was a phenomenological study of the experiences of underrepresented minority students in medicine as they matriculate to and through medical school.
As the Director of Diversity and Equity, one of his goals will be to create meaningful connections with people from various backgrounds within and outside of the medical school with the aim of working toward a more genuinely equitable educational system for all students. Dr. Ayeni’s educational philosophy centers on moving away from merely teaching students to memorize facts, and helping them enter a more genuine learning process by equipping them with the tools of inquiry to become lifelong learners and researchers.
Tade Ayeni, Ed.D
Director of the Office of Diversity and Equity
Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
123 Metro Blvd., Building 123, Nutley, NJ, 07110
Tade.Ayeni@hmhn.org
(717) 827-7892