October 2009
Vol 2, Issue 10



NC-HCAPnews
a monthly update from the
NC Health Careers Access Program
at Chapel Hill

The Director's Corner
 
You can feel the excitement in the air as students have begun the academic year with a renewed commitment to meeting their goals of becoming health care professionals. NC-HCAP hopes to nurture their enthusiasm by providing programs and services that will aid them in gaining the competitive edge needed to enter a global job market.
 
One way we hope to do that is through Health Careers Day on the Hill, a day-long event for high school students to come to campus and hear from representatives of the UNC medical, dental and nursing schools and the undergraduate admissions office.

Research has shown that students must be informed of health career opportunities prior to entering college if the number of students pursuing these careers is to increase. NC-HCAP is excited to expose pre-college students across North Carolina to health careers by sponsoring Health Careers Day on the Hill.
 
Stay tuned for more great things to come! 
 
Paula Borden
Interim Director
 
In This Issue
Director's Corner
NC-HCAP News
College Initiatives
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Pre-college Initiatives
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!

Each workshop 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.
 
Rivera speaks to North Carolina's HOSA students
Pre-college outreach coordinator Koyah Rivera spoke at the NC District 5 Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) leadership conference earlier this month. Each HOSA district in North Carolina holds a leadership conference during the fall. Rivera spoke to approximately 160 high school students interested in pursuing health careers.

"My goal was to expand their minds to the wide range of opportunities available to them as they prepare to make their mark in the health science field," said Rivera.

The conference was held at the Wake Forest University Bridger Field House in Winston-Salem, NC.
College Initiatives
Health Careers Club & Project Homeless Connect
The NC-HCAP Health Careers Club assisted the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness in their third annual Project Homeless Connect on Oct. 8. Project Homeless Connect provides a wide range of services to people experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness including: health and dental screenings and care, housing assistance, social services and legal services. 

The Health Careers Club held a reading glasses drive and collected and sorted 93 pairs of glasses that were handed out at the event. Health Careers Club members also helped secure vision screeners for the fair. 

Health Careers Club hosts informational panel

On Wednesday, September 23, HCC members hosted a panel discussion of various science enrichment programs. Panel members shared information about their respective summer programs, emphasizing the need for students to participate in them in order to become more competitive applicants. Panelists were: Dr. Anastasia Ivanova, BSURE Program; Carla White Harris, Eshelman School of Pharmacy LEAD Program; Gabrielle Morgan, PREP Program; Nisel Desai, Global Medical Brigades; Lisa Long and Claudis Polk, MED Program and Paula Borden, SEP Program.

SAVE THE DATE: 2010 Health on the Block!
The Health Careers Club will host the 7th annual Health on the Block community health fair on March 27, 2010.  The fair will offer complimentary health screenings and other important health-related information to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area.  Stay tuned for more information.
 
2010 SEP Program
If you know an undergraduate student interested in becoming a health professional, have him/her apply for the 2010 SEP Program.  SEP is an eight-week academic enrichment program for undergraduate underrepresented minority and socio-economically disadvantaged students who plan to pursue careers in health care. 
 
The 2010 SEP Program will be held Saturday, May 15 - Friday, July 9. Applications are accepted on a rolling admission basis through February 15, 2010.
 
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.
Center News

Former SEP Scholar and UNCP graduate perform health care internships
Former SEP Scholar and current East Carolina University medical student worked this summer in his hometown hoping to make a lasting impact on the health of local youth.  

Bryan Howington, now a second year student at the Brody School of Medicine at ECU, organized a healthy lifestyle program in his hometown of Pembroke aimed at helping young people learn to eat better, exercise and make healthy lifestyle choices.  

Howington, a recipient of a Brody Medical Scholarship, organized the program through a $2500 scholarship, which allows students to design a summer enrichment experience. The funds were used to purchase exercise equipment, supplies and cover other expenses.

Read full story
Give to NC-HCAP
Pave the way for a future health professional by giving to NC-HCAP.

You may make your gift online. 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.