Maurice Hinson, a third-year medical student, has been awarded a 2014 Excellence in Public Health Award from the United States Public Health Service for his work to achieve health equity, to eliminate health disparities and to improve the health of all groups. His notable achievement in creating the Drexel University College of Medicine Mentoring and Pipeline Program (DMAPP) was integral to his receiving this award. DMAPP is designed to increase opportunities for and advance the health and well-being of teens in an underserved Philadelphia community. The program is currently in its second year.
"I am truly honored to be the recipient of such a prestigious award, but I share this along with those who were instrumental in the development of the DMAPP program,” said Hinson. “This award represents the culmination of a concerted effort from the founding members, current directors, mentors, tutors and College of Medicine faculty in creating such a dynamic program for our underrepresented, inner city youth."
Hinson, and members of the Student National Medical Association, took DMAPP to the New Media Technology Charter School, a predominantly African American public charter high school in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia, first during the 2012-2013 academic year. This partnership offers free tutoring and mentoring opportunities between the medical and high school students. The charter school students also tour the medical campus and participate in monthly professional development workshops that include personal essay writing and interviewing etiquette. The program’s ultimate goal is to expose the high school students to careers in health and medicine, while assisting them in developing critical professional skills, an understanding of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a desire to give back through community service.
In addition to his extensive work in building the DMAPP program, Hinson has also taken great initiative and been quite active in other service and leadership activities. He traveled with a medical team to St. Thomas, Jamaica, to set up and operate a local community health clinic for local residents. He has participated in the annual career day at Gideon Elementary School in North Philadelphia and has also served as a judge for New Media Technology Charter School’s senior presentations. Hinson also serves as a student member of the College’s Diversity Task Force, a committee whose goal is to institute policy and implement processes to increase the diversity of faculty, staff and students. Hinson’s dedication to service in the community was recognized by his receipt of the College’s Preclinical Service Award.
Hinson also has a passion for research and scholarly activities. He continues a research collaboration at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He served as a student representative on the College’s Medical Student Research Day Committee, where he assisted in the event’s coordination and planning. Hinson presented his own research at the College’s 2012 Annual Medical Student Research Day, as well as its 2012 Annual Research Discovery Day, earning first place awards at both. He also delivered a platform presentation at the 2012 Society for Pediatric Research Conference.
Hinson earned his bachelor's degree with a major in neuroscience from Johns Hopkins University in May of 2008. After completing his undergraduate studies, he worked for two years as a research assistant in the Division of Neonatology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where he co-authored a peer-reviewed article in the Journal of Physiology. Maurice entered Drexel University College of Medicine through the Pathway to Medical School post-baccalaureate program, which is an early assurance program aimed at giving students from under-represented and diverse backgrounds the opportunity to pursue careers in medicine.