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HomeCommunityOrganizationsV.I. Student Began in STEMPREP Project, Now Enters Medical Residency in LA

V.I. Student Began in STEMPREP Project, Now Enters Medical Residency in LA

Taisha Husbands places a pin on the map, indicating where she will spend the next few years of her medical career as part of a residency program. (Photo/Ricardo Carrasco III)

In 2006, junior high schooler Taisha Husbands began as a trainee in STEMPREP (Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics Preparation) Project from All Saints Cathedral School on St. Thomas. During her 10-year journey in the project, she spent summers building the foundation for her career in medicine at such universities as Southern Methodist University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Washington, Seattle and the National Institute of Health.

The goal of the STEMPREP Project is to produce the next generations of minority researchers in science, technology, engineering and math.

In March of this year, fourth-year students of the Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California were brought to the Harry and Celesta Pappas Quad on the Health Sciences Campus for the 2019 Match Day. Taisha was among the fourth-years nervously anticipating the results of where she would spend the next few years of her medical career. All Taisha’s hard work from middle school through medical school paid off. She matched in family medicine at Kaiser Medical Los Angeles.

Just like Taisha began STEMPREP in 7th grade, three Virgin Islands trainees: 8th grader Kalyn George of All Saints Cathedral School; 7th grader Jaden Gonzales of Church of God Holiness Academy; and 7th grader Jesse Colbert Williams of St. Mary’s Catholic School; have begun Summer STEMPREP 2019 at the University of Washington in Seattle.

The Distance Learning Center thanks the Virgin Islands Lottery for the $5,500 grant from its “Make A Difference Pillars” (which supports Education, Economic/Business Development, Health and Public Welfare programs that have an impact on the community), the Virgin Islands Port Authority for their donation of $1000, and Warren Mosler, Valance Company for its donation of $150.

For more information, contact Charlene Joseph, student recruitment coordinator at 513-4883 or email at mattedconsult@gmail.com.
To financially support the work of the Distance Learning Center, contact:
Moses L. Williams, Ph.D., Executive Director
STEMPREP Project
Distance Learning Center Inc.
1324 Clearfield Street
Philadelphia, Pa. 19132
Office: 267-238-2900; fax: 267-238-2901; cell: 215-416-7743; email: moses.lee.williams@gmail.com or website: www.thedistancelearningcenter.org

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