Future Physicians Pathway Program
Building stronger medical school candidates and a stronger future for Baton Rouge
Sponsoring Physicians
What Is the Future Physicians Pathway Program?
The Future Physicians Pathway Program is a hands-on employment-based program for pre-medical students who want more than observation. Participants are hired into paid clinical support roles and work scheduled shifts as part of Baton Rouge General’s care teams, gaining meaningful responsibility while receiving structured educational opportunities alongside their work. This immersive, 8-week program provides participants with direct exposure to hospital-based medicine while strengthening their connection to Baton Rouge General and the local healthcare community. Participants gain firsthand experience inside a working hospital, learning not just the science of medicine but the teamwork, decision-making, and patient care that define it.
The program is supported by a dedicated group of sponsoring physicians who provide clinical oversight, guidance, and real-world perspective, helping shape participants’ development through direct involvement in patient care environments.
Hands-On Clinical Work & Physician Shadowing
Participants are hired into clinical roles and work scheduled shifts in areas such as the peri-operative and emergency departments and patient care units, gaining firsthand involvement in day-to-day hospital operation through :
- Clinical exposure in key hospital departments and patient care units
- Physician oversight and shadow shift opportunities
- Opportunities to observe or participate in research
- Networking with physicians, residents, and hospital leaders
Learning Alongside Residency Programs
For additional insight into medical training, Future Physicians Pathway participants may attend didactic sessions and morning rounds alongside Baton Rouge General’s residency programs.
Didactics are structured learning sessions where residents step away from patient care to focus on classroom-style education, including lectures, case discussions, workshops, and interactive activities covering everything from the latest research and guidelines to how to handle tough cases. Hospital morning rounds provide an educational experience and offer meaningful insight into patient care. Participation in these patient rounds provides students with unique insight into the responsibilities and experiences of a dynamic Residency program.
Participants can also opt in to morning reports in the hospital, a regular gathering of attending physicians and resident physicians to discuss a case from the night prior, providing insight and discussion on a patient’s treatment plan.
Continued Opportunities After the Program
After completing the 8-week Future Physicians Pathway Program, participants can continue building their clinical skills by picking up additional clinical shifts. Ongoing mentorship, networking opportunities, and guidance related to medical school preparation and the application process help program participants stay connected and supported beyond the program.
Eligibility and Application Requirements
Applications for the next Future Physicians Pathway Program are now open.
To qualify, students must:
- Be entering their third year of an undergraduate program
- Have completed at least 60 credit hours
- Maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Be eligible to take the MCAT within the following year
Apply Now
Program Director
Dr. William “Keith” Kellum is Chief Medical Officer for Baton Rouge General. Board-certified in internal medicine, Dr. Kellum oversees medical services and clinical strategy, partnering with BRG’s 1,000+ member medical staff to ensure that the system maintains the highest standards of excellence and patient care. While working at BRG as a hospitalist since 2013, Dr. Kellum took on various leadership roles, including section chief of hospital medicine and chief medical information officer. He received his medical degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences in Shreveport and completed his internal medicine residency at LSU Health Sciences in New Orleans. Dr. Kellum is a member of the American Medical Association and the American College of Physicians.
Contact US
For questions about the program or application process please reach out to one of our program coordinators below.