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Date: March 4, 2009
Contact: Jennifer Forbes
Communications & Public Affairs
Phone: 732-235-6356
Email: jenn.forbes@umdnj.edu
Health Careers Program Grant Awarded to UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
The Office of Multicultural Affairs and Special Academic Programs at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School obtained a three-year $1.3 million grant from the Health Careers Opportunity Program. The grant will support several pipeline programs to increase diversity in the health professions and ultimately eliminate healthcare disparities. These pipeline programs aim to provide community and public health education regarding healthcare issues affecting underserved communities, cultural competence and diversity training for faculty and students, health career information and academic enrichment for students underrepresented in medicine.
“We are honored to be chosen for this grant, so that we may continue to expand an already successful program which supports and encourages students to increase diversity within our workforce,” said Cheryl A. Dickson, MD, assistant dean of multicultural affairs and special academic programs, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
Partners in this endeavor include Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Seton Hall University, UMDNJ- School of Health Related Professions, Perth Amboy, Trenton and New Brunswick public schools, the NAACP of Edison-Metuchen, New Destiny Family Ministries of New Brunswick, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and The YWCA Princeton to provide a comprehensive academic, clinical and community-based exposure to disparities in healthcare. This multifaceted alliance will develop multicultural programming, volunteer and training opportunities in healthcare settings serving diverse populations, and the opportunity to interact with health service providers and students from different ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds.
The pipeline programs will target high school and undergraduate students from disadvantaged backgrounds interested in careers in medicine and health related professions. The Saturday Academies and Summer Enrichment Program offers junior and senior high school students from the affiliate high schools college preparatory seminars, academic support and exposure to various health career opportunities. The Biomedical Careers Program and Access-Med Program provide undergraduate students preparatory seminars for graduate/health profession schools, course for credit opportunities as well as clinical and volunteer experiences. The Pre-matriculation Summer Program offers incoming medical students the opportunity to preview core courses in preparation for the rigors of the medical school curriculum.
The Office of Multicultural Affairs and Special Academic Programs has provided pipeline programs for over 30 years. Over 1700 students have attended these programs and over 600 students have gone onto medical, allied health profession, and graduate study.
The Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) is one of two diversity programs authorized under Title VII of the Public Health Service Act.
