April 2008
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Vol 1, Issue 4
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NC-HCAPnews
a monthly update from the
NC Health Careers Access Program
at Chapel Hill
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| The Director's Corner |
 As I return from the 2008 National
Association of Medical Minority Educators, Inc. Southern/Central Regions joint conference, I feel
rejuvenated.
The conference theme, "Moving the Agenda: Creating
Coalitions, Enhancing Diversity and Ensuring Academic Success,"
continues to resonate with me because it is so fitting for all of us
regardless of whether we work directly in medical education. It is an
area that we all should invest in if we truly are concerned with health
disparities and our growing workforce shortages.
Although I felt a
little over extended leaving one conference and heading directly to
another, I walked away appreciative of the opportunity to have
experienced the North Carolina Conference for Health Professions
Diversity. It was there that we had the privilege of receiving a
national perspective from a legend in his own right, Dr. Louis Sullivan.
Key stakeholders dialogued on topics such as health
disparities, current workforce statistics, the importance and impact of health professions
pipeline programs on the diversification of the health professional pool, and the need for continued advocacy. As I stated during my
conference presentation, as we approach the anniversary of Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr.'s passing, we must remember his eloquent and passionate
words, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
We must
commit to moving the agenda forward and not stop until we ensure that
all students have access to educational opportunities and that ALL
persons receive access to quality health care.
Patrena Benton |
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| NC-HCAP Announcements |
Student's letter to the editor published
Caroline Herion, a junior at UNC, recently wrote a letter to the editor highlighting the need for NC-HCAP and its programs and services. The letter was published in the April 5 edition of the Durham Herald-Sun and the April 3 edition of the Daily Tar Heel. Excerpts:
UNC program encourages careers in health care
With the elections coming, there has been a lot of talk about health care. The health care system our presidential hopefuls envision for America's future centers around three simple adjectives: affordable, accessible and reliable.
But the one thing we aren't hearing anything about could be the most influential factor in the fate of health care overall: the growing shortage of practitioners nationwide.
North Carolina has been affected dramatically by this growing health care crisis. Of all citizens, however, those living in rural or inner city areas are hurt the most by the growing shortage of medical providers.
The North Carolina Health Careers Access Program, located on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill, has worked for more than 35 years to empower minority and educationally/economically disadvantaged students, giving them the opportunity to recognize the possibility of a future in health care. The interinstitutional program provides academic enrichment activities designed to make students more competitive applicants to health sciences schools.
Organizations like NC-HCAP are needed now more than ever to ensure that the future of health care really can be affordable, accessible and reliable for all Americans. |
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| Pre-College Initiatives
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 We are now scheduling workshops for the new school year. Avoid being waitlisted - schedule your free Health Careers Information & Enrichment Workshop today!
Be among the first in the state to expose your students to one of the fastest growing career fields in North
Carolina next year.
The
HCIE Workshop is a motivational, hands-on outreach program designed to
increase the interest of pre-college students considering a career in
the health professions. Each session is highly interactive and
focuses on small group and cooperative learning activities while
providing students with general information about health careers and
educational programs as well as academic enrichment activities. Workshop outlines and other information can be found on our Web site.
To schedule a workshop, complete the online registration form or call us at (919) 966-2264.
Here's what students are saying about the workshops:
"Thank you for coming to Ligon. You helped us out a lot! You inspired me to keep going in life and to follow my dreams. When I grow up I want to become a pediatrician." - Olivia Moore, Ligon GT Magnet School
This was a great workshop and it got my mind on track to stay in school, go to college, and do anything I want to do." - Jasmine Faison, Ahoskie Elementary School
"I would like to first start by saying thank you for coming to speak to my A.V.I.D. class and enlightening me on the medical field and just life in general...The main topic was knowing that you could do any and everything that you set your mind to. The presentation also let me know that there are so many medical fields in which you don't have to stay in school for the majority of your life...This really inspired me..." - Brianna Tinsley, Ligon GT Magnet School
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| College Initiatives
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SEP Program hiring program assistants We
are currently recruiting program assistants to assist
faculty in physics and
quantitative skills/biostatistics for the 2008 SEP Program. The 8-week
academic enrichment program will be held at UNC from May 17 - July 11. Interested applicants should contact Paula Borden, associate director
& college outreach coordinator, at (919) 966-2264 or
pborden@email.unc.edu. For more information about the open positions, visit our Web site. View the program assistant advertisement.  Health on the Block
The NC-HCAP Ambassadors held its fifth annual Health on the Block community health fair on Saturday, April 5 at the Hargraves Community Center.
UNC student health volunteers and local health organizations provided free health care screenings and information to local residents who might have limited access otherwise.
"The NC-HCAP
Ambassadors are dedicated to improving the
quality of life for underrepresented and disadvantaged communities," said Paula
Borden, advisor to the Ambassadors. "Through Health on the Block, students, local businesses, and organizations
raise awareness and educate the community about healthy lifestyle
behaviors. By creating and continuing Health
on the Block, the NC-HCAP Ambassadors are exemplifying Carolina's commitment to community engagement".
Groups represented at the event were:
Chapel Hill Fire Department, Cornucopia House, Empowerment, Inc., Family Violence Prevention Center of Orange County, Native American Health Initiative, Student National Dental Association, Undergraduate Student National Dental Association, and Unite for Sight.
Health on the Block was co-sponsored by the Chapel Hill Department of Parks and Recreation.
NC-HCAP to host sessions at Future Leaders in Health Care Conference NC-HCAP will host its annual health professions forum in conjunction with NC-AHEC's Future Leaders in Health Care Conference. The conference will be held May 30 - June 1 at East Carolina University. NC-HCAP's sessions will be Saturday, May 31 at 6:30 p.m. and will include its Inspirational Speakers in Science (ISIS) lecture followed by a student panel presentation. Panelists from UNC Schools of Pharmacy and Dentistry, East Carolina University and area community colleges will share their academic experiences, goals and strategies for overcoming obstacles in college and health professional school.
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| Student Spotlight |
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Congratulations to the following SEP alumni accepted into health professions schools:
Lauren Curtis - UNC School of Pharmacy
Prachi Patel - UNC School of Pharmacy
Congratulations to the following SEP alumni accepted into the Medical Education Development (MED) Program in the UNC School of Medicine: Allen Owens, Annika Barnett, Matthew Lau, Javier Luzon, Lisa Walters, Linda Wansi
Congratulations to SEP alumna Ijeoma Ohadugha who was accepted into UNC's Medical Brigades program. She will help provide health care services in underserved villages in Honduras. Congratulations to former NC-HCAP Ambassador Crystal Hayes who was accepted into dental school at Virginia Commonwealth University, Howard University and Temple University.
Watch for additional announcements in the May issue of NC-HCAPnews.
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| Give to NC-HCAP
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Pave the way for a future health professional by giving to NC-HCAP. You may make a gift online or contact Renee Harris directly at rharris@unc.edu or (919) 966-2264. When using Online Giving, please be sure to choose "NC Health Careers Access Program" under the University Designation List, then select "NC Health Careers Access Program (3894) " from the Select a University Fund menu. Or, mail Check or Money Order Payable to "UNC-CH"to:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Office of University Development
PO Box 309
Chapel Hill, NC 27514-9931
PLEASE Write In "Designation #3894 - NC Health Careers Access Program" on the "FOR" line of your check. |
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North Carolina Health Careers Access Program
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Student & Academic Services Building South, Suite 3307
CB #8010
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8010
T: 919-966-2264
F: 919-966-6109
nchcap@email.unc.edu
http://nc-hcap.unc.edu
For editorial comments or questions, contact Renee Harris at rharris@unc.edu.
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