Data from: TRANSCENDS: a career development program for underrepresented in medicine scholars in academic neurology

Background: The Training in Research for Academic Neurologists to Sustain
Careers and Enhance the Numbers of Diverse Scholars (TRANSCENDS) program
is a career advancement opportunity for individuals underrepresented in
biomedical research, funded by the National Institute and Neurological
Disorders and Stroke; and American Academy of Neurology (AAN). Objective:
To report on qualitative and quantitative outcomes in TRANSCENDS. Design:
Early career individuals (neurology fellows and junior faculty) from
groups underrepresented in medicine were competitively selected from a
national pool of applicants (2016-2019). TRANSCENDS activities comprised
an online Clinical Research degree program, monthly webinars, AAN meeting
activities, and mentoring. Participants were surveyed during and after
completion of TRANSCENDS to evaluate program components. Outcomes: Of 23
accepted scholars (comprising four successive cohorts), 56% were women;
61% Hispanic/Latinx, 30% Black/African American, 30% assistant professors.
To date, 48% have graduated the TRANSCENDS program and participants have
published 180 peer-reviewed articles.   Mentees'
feedback noted that professional skills development (i.e., manuscript and
grant writing), networking opportunities, and mentoring were the most
beneficial elements of the program. Stated opportunities for improvement
included: incorporating a mentor-the-mentor workshop, providing more
transitional support for mentees in the next stage of their careers, and
requiring mentees to provide quarterly reports. Conclusions: TRANSCENDS is
a feasible program for supporting underrepresented in medicine
neurologists towards careers in research and faculty academic appointments
attained thus far have been sustained. While longer term outcomes and
process enhancements are warranted, programs like this may help increase
the numbers of diverse academic neurologists, and further drive
neurological innovation.