Leroy A. Reese ’72 has long recognized what is now an accepted fact: individuals from Black or African-American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander groups have been and continue to be underrepresented in medical school admissions and the physician workforce. In 1999, he launched an initiative called Minority Introduction To the Health Sciences (MITHS) (Now known as Mentoring In the Health Sciences), a three-week program that brings high school students to the Loma Linda University (LLU) campus to introduce them to careers in health sciences. More than 25 years later, MITHS has nearly 500 alumni, many of whom now have successful careers in medicine, dentistry, and other healthcare fields. MITHS alumni from the School of Medicine include Jaysson T. Brooks ’11, Michelle Y. Spencer ’13, and Carlin Arel Williams ’09, Joseph Benjamin Hector ’25, and Derek Jamal McCalla ’17, among others.

MITHS is LLU’s oldest pathway program, and starting it was a challenge. Reese remembers, “I went to the dean of the School of Medicine at the time, Dr. Bull [Brian S. Bull ’61]. There was nothing to prove that this type of program would work.” Now, programs like MITHS are an evidence-based and recognized way to increase minority representation in the helping professions.

The MITHS program has positively impacted both students and LLU. The professional environment of medicine and other graduate health programs can often feel intimidating and sometimes unwelcoming. With guidance from Reese, MITHS has demonstrated to students and the campus that students from all backgrounds, especially Black and Latino students, belong at LLU.

A sense of place and belonging are fundamental values of the program. This idea was inspired by Reese’s personal experience in medical school and his ongoing dedication to the institution, including his roles on the board of trustees and the medical school admissions committee for many years. Reese felt called to create a solution that would shape LLU into a welcoming environment where students truly feel appreciated.

MITHS continues to influence both students and the institution. Now led by Dexter Mathias Frederick ’97, associate dean for mission alignment and workforce innovation, the program is reviewing applications to fill the 20 slots that will comprise its 2026 class.

As MITHS welcomes its next generation of future health professionals, the legacy of Reese’s vision continues—opening doors and fostering belonging for underrepresented students. The program’s lasting impact is evident not only in the careers it helps launch but also in transforming LLU into a more inclusive and supportive community. With ongoing dedication and leadership, MITHS stands as a testament to the power of opportunity, mentorship, and a commitment to diversity in healthcare.  ν