In 1969, Dr. Epps developed MEdREP (Medical Education Reinforcement and Enrichment Program for Minority and Other Disadvantaged Students) at Tulane from a program she had started at Howard University. MEdREP helped prospective students prepare for the MCAT and gain experience with lab projects.

By 1982, Tulane's MEdREP had 300 applications for 50 summer positions available. Of the 63 MEdREP students in 1988, 20 enrolled in medical school. Minority retention rates at the university remained above the national average for many years. Tulane's MEdREP also offered workshops to show other schools around the country how to start similar programs.