The Gleitsman Through the Years

The CARE-Gleitsman Scholars Program grew out of the Gleitsman Student Research in Palliative Care Research Program (The Gleitsman), offering mentored palliative care research experience and financial support to first-year medical students from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine. Throughout this program’s evolution, 21 students have completed research projects under the guidance of University of Pittsburgh faculty researchers from the Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics and the Palliative Research Center (PaRC), delving into the impact of serious illness care research, fostering research and career development skills, and building relationships to enrich their medical career journeys.  

  • 2021 13 scholars took part in the LEADS/Gleitsman Student Research in Palliative Care Program.
  • 2022 4 scholars participated in the Gleitsman Student Research in Palliative Care Program.
  • 2023 4 scholars received the Gleitsman Student Diversity in Palliative Care Research Award.
  • 2024 4 scholars are participating in this summer’s program

Testimonials

I fell in love with the field

“The program has significantly impacted my specialty career decision. I now plan to pursue a career in palliative care…I fell in love with the field. I look forward to continuing to resolve gaps within healthcare and improving the quality of patient care.”
Chelsea Green, MS
Morehouse School of Medicine
2022 Scholar

Significant real-world impact

“The program’s most surprising aspect was the chance to witness and feel the emotional weight of the significant real-world impact of palliative care research.”
Ashley Jones
St. Louis University School of Medicine
2023 Scholar

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be expected to attend an in-person orientation in pittsburgh, PA?

Scholars are expected to visit Pittsburgh, PA at the beginning of June to meet their research mentor and participate in an engaging orientation to the program. Dates for the visit will be confirmed once 2024 scholars are selected. The program does provide additional funding for scholars’ travel and lodging costs.

Do you make exceptions to the Eligibility guidelines?

At this time, this program is open to first-year medical students from 8 partnering institutions listed here.

what will I be working on with my research mentor?

Research mentors in supportive oncology and palliative care seek to improve care and management of the physical, psychological, and emotional needs of people with cancer and other serious illnesses. Mentors research how to improve clinical outcomes through clinical studies and population-based research, using quantitative and qualitative research methods as appropriate. Program research mentors generally do not conduct research in “wet labs”, or in areas such as drug discovery or surgery.

Scholars will undergo a match process where they will be provided with more information and choices about which specific project they will work on during the summer.

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care is specialized medical care for patients living with serious illness, at any age or stage of illness. Patients often receive palliative care support to improve their quality of life while they undergo treatment for serious illness. Palliative care can include symptom management, psychosocial support, care for patients and families, and more.

What is SUpportive oncology?

Supportive oncology is specialty palliative care specifically for patients with cancer and is focused on relieving the symptoms of cancer and cancer treatment to improve quality of life for patients and caregivers of patients. Read more here.

Questions? Contact Maria Belin at mcb196@pitt.edu.

Return to the program home page.