Academics

The Minor in Science and Patient Advocacy

This adjunctive patient advocacy minor trains in the skills necessary to collaborate with stakeholders such as researchers, clinicians, regulators, pharmaceutical companies, and patients to bridge the gaps in knowledge exchange and enhance positive health outcomes. It also provides scientific training in advanced knowledge of current and emerging technologies in research and clinical medicine relevant to rare diseases with the goal of providing trainees with the scientific proficiency needed to be effective patient advocates of rare diseases.

Mission Statement 

The minor provides undergraduate students with the understanding of the multifaceted challenges needed to advocate effectively for rare disease patients. This adjunctive minor provides needed critical skills to collaborate with stakeholders such as researchers, clinicians, regulators, pharmaceutical companies, and patients to bridge the gaps in knowledge exchange for positive health outcomes. It also provides scientific training in advanced knowledge of current and emerging technologies in research and clinical medicine relevant to rare diseases with the goal of providing trainees the scientific proficiency needed to be effective patient advocates of rare diseases. 

Rationale

There are approximately 7,000 classified rare diseases, with many exhibiting large genetic heterogeneity and variations in clinical pathology. Lack of knowledge of the wide clinical spectrum of rare diseases, extended length of time to diagnosis, lack of specialists to treat the disease, and ineffective treatments are a few of the challenges rare disease patients face. Combined with the emerging need for proficiency with advanced genomic and therapeutic-based approaches to rare disease diagnosis and care, there is a critical need to provide individuals seeking careers in the health care field the skills needed to understand and convey the complex issues facing patients of rare disease.

Explore the curriculum and program requirements by exploring the tabs to the left.