August  2008
 Vol 1, Issue 8



NC-HCAPnews
a monthly update from the
NC Health Careers Access Program
at Chapel Hill
The Director's Corner
Happy New Year!
 
I know, I know! It's not January yet. But it IS the start of a new year - a new academic year. One filled with all the excitement that comes with new classes, new professors and classmates, and new (or renewed) dreams.
 
It is an exciting time for all of us as we see and hear from new students entering college for the first time, and even from those "old" students who are expressing a new interest in becoming health care professionals. Their new energy and enthusiasm is an inspiration. Given the fact that we need more diversity in the health care work force, we can not afford to let this enthusiasm wane. Our role as counselors, advisors and mentors is an important one as we mold these learners and guide them down the right path to becoming successful health practitioners. Let's continue to support, nurture and uplift them through undergraduate and graduate/health professional schools-all the way to graduation day!

Patrena Benton 



In This Issue
Director's Corner
NC-HCAP Announcements
Pre-college Initiatives
College Initiatives
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links

NC-HCAP Announcements

Hardy named NC-HCAP Business Manager

We are pleased to announce that Jasmine Hardy has assumed the position of business manager for the orgranization. As such, she will maintain a comprehensive operational budget based on the mission and needs of the organization and serve as the departmental HR facilitator.
Pre-college Initiatives
Addressing the 2008 North Carolina Career & Technical Education Summer Conference
by Koyah Rivera, NC-HCAP Pre-College Coordinator
 
I recently had the privilege of addressing health education teachers statewide at the 2008 North Carolina Career & Technical Education Summer Conference. During my session, "Developing a Diverse Healthcare Workforce One Student at a Time: NC-HCAP's Proven Model of Success," I shared NC-HCAP's mission, and highlighted our programs and activities that impact the minority presence in health care.
 
The statistics on the diversity of North Carolina health care work force that I shared surprised many in attendance. This gave way to a period of reflection as educators representing various NC school systems engaged in discourse about the factors contributing to the lack of population-to-practitioner parity in health careers.
 
These teachers worked in groups to brainstorm tangible things that they, their schools, and their communities can do to help provide more underrepresented students the opportunity to tap into health careers. With a heightened awareness of just how critical the need is to increase the number of underrepresented students in health care professions, each teacher made a commitment to apply at least one of the listed action plan ideas this coming school year.
 
After presenting at this conference, I am more excited than ever about the impact we can make on the next generation of health care professionals, and am ready to arm even more educators and administrators with information they need to help increase the number of minority and disadvantaged students who enter health careers.
 
If you are interested in a workshop for your school staff, contact me today at kdrivera@unc.edu. Together we can make a difference.

Schedule a Health Careers Information & Enrichment Workshop today!
Are you looking for a way to get your students geared up for college while exposing them to one of the fastest growing career fields in North Carolina? If so, this free workshop is a must!

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.
College Initiatives
NC-HCAP forms new Health Careers Club
NC-HCAP has established a health careers club for students with a common interest in health care. The goals of the club are to promote awareness and interest in all areas of the health professions; to promote campus and community service projects; and to assist members in becoming competitive applicants for health professions programs.
 
Health Career Club members will have the opportunity to:
·  participate in seminars/discussions with health care professionals representing a myriad     of specialties (e.g. medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, allied health, research, etc.)
·  receive counseling sessions with NC-HCAP staff to discuss their career goals and develop     a plan of action
·  learn how to prepare for standardized tests
·  secure shadowing opportunities throughout the school year
·  give back to the community through Health on the Block and other service learning             projects  

The health careers club is open to all undergraduate students at UNC, and will hold an informational session on Tuesday, September 2 at 6 p.m. Check our Web site for the location.

SEP Program 2009
Do you know an undergraduate student interested in becoming a health professional - one in need of an academic and enrichment boost to become a more competitive applicant for graduate/health professional school? Then SEP is just what the doctor ordered.
 
SEP is an eight-week academic enrichment program for undergraduate underrepresented minority and socioeconomically disadvantaged students who plan to pursue careers in the health care. 
 
The 2009 SEP Program will be held Saturday, May 16 - Thursday, July 9.
 
If you are interested in hosting an SEP informational session at your school, please contact Paula Borden at pborden@email.unc.edu or (919) 966-2264 today.
Give to NC-HCAP
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.
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.