A standout collaboration is opening doors for deaf high school students to explore careers in medicine and science through hands-on experiences. The Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center was selected as one of five cancer centers nationwide to serve as a site for the Future Deaf Scientists Program.
Led by IU School of Medicine Department of Surgery faculty member, Harikrishna Nakshatri, PhD, the partnership between IU, the Indiana School for the Deaf and the University of Rochester James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute aims to expand access to research and career pathways for students traditionally underrepresented in healthcare fields. Students had the opportunity to learn about different aspects of research and medicine including basic science, surgical oncology, pathology and clinical oncology.
“This is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience and opportunity,” said Emani Dowd, a student at Indiana School for the Deaf. "This program already aligned with my interest in a career in trauma surgery.”
High school students from the Indiana School for the Deaf shadowed researchers in hematology/oncology, surgery and radiation. They also participated in fireside chats with Deaf scientists and clinicians from across the country. As part of the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center summer programs, students received a stipend.
The Future Deaf Scientists Program and curriculum was developed by the Wilmot Cancer Institute. In addition to IU, the Wilmot Cancer Institute expanded the program to the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center, Stanford Cancer Institute and Yale Cancer Center. Students from all programs came together to participate in virtual “fireside chats” with Deaf scientists and medical professionals.
The initiative — led locally by Nakshatri, who is also the associate director of education at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center — is supported by a grant awarded to the University of Rochester by the National Institutes of Health and sub-contract to IU to expand the summer internship program and provide deaf students with meaningful exposure to careers in cancer research and medicine.“Because I lead two cancer research education grants from the National Cancer Institute and the Indiana School for the Deaf is one of the largest in the country, they invited me to serve as a co-investigator,” Nakshatri said. “This program complements the many summer initiatives we offer through the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center and Indiana University School of Medicine, which provide research experiences to about 75 participants each year, including high school and medical students, teachers and undergraduates. Surgery is one of three core pillars in those research and shadowing experiences.”
In addition to providing opportunities to School for the Deaf students, the partnership allows for the Department of Surgery and the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center to engage with the surrounding Indianapolis community.
“This partnership allows the Department of Surgery to build deeper connections with the broader Indianapolis community by creating meaningful opportunities for local students,” said Nakshatri.
“This gives community members the chance to engage with medicine and science in an accessible and supportive environment. It reflects our commitment to inspiring the next generation of surgeons.”Students had the opportunity to shadow renowned cancer center researchers and oncologists – including Lawrence Einhorn, MD, known for developing the cure for testicular cancer – in the clinical spaces as they interacted with patients. 
A highlight of the shadowing experience for Indiana School for the Deaf students was participating in surgical simulations and gaining hands-on insight into the skills required to become a surgeon.
“I love a challenge, and today’s surgical skills lab experience required a lot of coordination,” said Melissa Eicher, a student. “I really enjoyed it.”
Although not all students were specifically interested in surgery, the shadowing experience gave them valuable insight into the skills needed in a healthcare setting, which are applicable to a variety of career paths.
“I’m not necessarily focused on surgery,” said Eicher. “I’m more interested in the overall experience and understanding how doctors interact with patients, their approach and getting a feel for the environment. It’s a chance for me to explore and see what other opportunities might be out there.”
While other students expressed interest in healthcare careers, such as an emergency medical technician, a nurse and a psychologist among others, it’s their resilience that will empower them to succeed in whatever path they choose.
“My future goal is not to give up when things get hard,” said Jaiden Moses, a student. “I think I was really struggling in today's activity at the skills lab. I was ready to give up, but I thought to myself, ‘nope, I need to keep going,’ and I knew that I could get there.”
