December 2008
 Vol 1, Issue 12



NC-HCAPnews
a monthly update from the
NC Health Careers Access Program
at Chapel Hill
The Director's Corner

2008-What a Year it has been!
 
There may have been a few challenges along the way, but they were far outnumbered by the exciting highlights. We met young people across the state eager to gain information about all the health careers available to them and hungry for encouragement and assistance. And we witnessed glazy-eyed college seniors become mature, confident adults as they transitioned into graduate/health professional programs - and we were with them the entire way. We cried with them when they faced hardships and seemingly insurmountable obstacles,  and were rejoiced with them as they celebrated accomplishments and milestones.
 
Some of my most awe-inspiring moments of the year were:
 
  • Accepting a student into the final slot of our SEP Program who did not possess the level of competitiveness on paper as some other applications and seeing that individual complete the program in the top tier. This reaffirmed for me that we can not allow an application alone to be the deciding factor.
     
  • Working with colleagues who view this work that we do as a ministry rather than a job.
     
  • Seeing the impact that my work has made on my 7-year old daughter. There are probably very few second graders who know as much about health careers as she.
 
We are ready to welcome 2009 because there is more work to be done. As we await its arrival, we here at NC-HCAP would like to wish you all a Happy Holiday!

Patrena N. Benton, Ph.D.
In This Issue
Director's Corner
College Initiatives
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College Initiatives
Health Careers Club hosts Dean's Panel
Fifty-five UNC students interested in pursuing careers in the health sciences attended a Dean's Panel hosted by the Health Careers Club on November 18. The purpose of the panel was to expose students to administrators in the health sciences schools, to provide admissions information about the respective programs, and to stress the importance of summer programs to students' preparedness.

"I am very interested in becoming a dentist and it was a honor to meet Dr. Williams, the Dean of UNC's School of Dentistry, as well as the Assistant Dean of Admissions, Dr. Guckes. I feel that it was an opportunity to gain first hand information about what they are looking for in an applicant and about the dental field as a whole," said sophomore Imani Fuller.

Panelists in attendance were: Dr. Nerissa Price, UNC School of Medicine; Dean John Williams and Dr. Al Guckes, UNC School of Dentistry; Dr. Felicia Mebane, UNC School of Public Health; Jivan Moaddeb, UNC Eschelman School of Pharmacy (student); Dr. Beverly Foster, UNC School of Nursing; and Mr. Lovest Alexander, Duke University Physician Assistant Program.


HCC members 'represent' at Middle School Career Fair
NC-HCAP was well represented at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools' Middle School Career Fair on November 13. Health Careers Club members Cerina Buchanan, Chahtinney Swinton-Conway, and Latorya Hill hosted the NC-HCAP booth at the fair, providing information about our services and activities as well as information about the various health careers.
 
The fair, held at University Mall, was the first of its kind for middle-schoolers in the area, and the HCC members found it as rewarding as the students who attended. "The thing I enjoyed most was the opportunity to inspire and encourage our future health care providers," said Hill. "It is important for our youth to participate in these types of events early so they can make well-informed decisions about their future."


2009 Science Enrichment Preparation (SEP) Program applications now available
The NC-HCAP Web site has gone live with the 2009 SEP application. SEP will be held Saturday, May 16 - Thursday, July 9. Acceptance to the program will be on a rolling admission basis. Students can begin applying online TODAY.

If you would like to support a deserving student for 2009, please contact Dr. Patrena Benton at pbenton@unc.edu. If you are interested in hosting an SEP informational session at your school, please contact Paula Borden at pborden@email.unc.edu.
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 Dr. Patrena Benton, director, at pbenton@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.