June 10, 2026 Webinar

Presenters:
Scott Gilbert, MD, Program Director- SCIP, Nephrologist, Director of the Nephrology Fellowship Training Program
Kristen H. Hanssen, MD- Associate Dean of Admissions at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Family medicine physician

Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (PAG) is a growing field that addresses the unique reproductive health needs of children, adolescents, and young adults. Despite increasing demand for specialized care, access remains limited due to a shortage of physicians with training and expertise in PAG. Expanding provider availability requires a sustainable pipeline that introduces learners to the field early, provides meaningful educational experiences, and supports ongoing mentorship and career development.  Another avenue for expanding provider availability would be to equip interested general obstetrician-gynecologists with the knowledge and skills necessary to care for adolescents in their communities.

The Pathways to PAG webinar focused on a presentation by Dr. Gilbert highlighting the SCIP program at Tufts which was designed to expose students early in their training to careers in medicine. 

The Summer Clinical Immersion Program (SCIP) at Tufts Medical Center, a 8 week program, was launched in 2022 to introduce disadvantaged and first-in-family-to-college Tufts University undergraduate students with limited prior exposure to healthcare settings to the breadth of career opportunities in medicine. Students rotate through a variety of clinical settings, meet trainees/providers, researchers, and staff from a variety of backgrounds who serve as mentors. The program includes practical guidance on strengthening medical school applications, research opportunities, letters of recommendation, and financing graduate education. 

Dr. Hanssen emphasized that the reason programs such as SCIP are so important is because efforts to diversify the medical profession must begin at the college level, as building a more diverse applicant pool requires intentional and thoughtfully designed strategies early in the educational pathway. 

Creating a structured pipeline for PAG would introduce medical students, residents, and early-career physicians to the unique clinical, educational, and advocacy opportunities within the field. Just as SCIP has successfully encouraged students to pursue careers in medicine, a PAG pipeline could increase awareness of the specialty, foster mentorship relationships, and ultimately expand the number of Ob/Gyns who develop expertise in caring for children, adolescents, and young adults with gynecologic concerns.

In conclusion, just as SCIP has successfully expanded opportunities and encouraged careers in medicine, it can serve as a model for developing a PAG pipeline that strengthens our workforce and improves access to care for young patients.