USF AHEC Health Professions Summer Academy

1. USF AHEC Health Professions Summer Academy A Recipe for Success Presented By: LaToya S. Clark, MPH Coordinator, Diversity Initiatives Health Professions Summer Academy Director USF AHEC Program Office

2. The Current State of Healthcare • Minority and low-income students are underrepresented in health professions • African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans make up 25% of the U.S. population, yet they make up only 6% of physicians, 8% of registered nurses, and 5% of dentist • These disparities by ethnicity and income have been called one of healthcare’s biggest failures

3. A Better Future for the Healthcare Workforce Recommendations: • Train more underrepresented students in science and promote their interest in health careers early • Increase the enrollment of underrepresented students in the health professions • Develop health careers recruitment programs during the pre-college years

4. Health Career Recruitment at USF AHEC Program Office • USF AHEC Health Professions Summer Academy (Academy) began in 2001; 28 students • Designed to expose academically talented high school students who are underrepresented in the health professions to career possibilities in the healthcare during a two-week, on campus experience • Targets underrepresented and disadvantaged high school students from USF AHECs 9-county service area

5. Academy Goals • Expose and enhance student’s understanding of health careers so they can make an informed decision before choosing to pursue a post-secondary health career track. • Provide students with test taking strategies that will enhance their performance on the SAT exam. • Provide positive role models and mentors to assist students in pursuit of a health career.

6. Academy Goals • Increase student’s understanding of the college admission process and how to pursue financial aid for college. • Increase student’s knowledge and exposure to stimulating and in-depth learning environments, college life, professionalism and diversity. • Provide a foundation for students to become competitive applicants for post-secondary and graduate education.

7. Eligibility Requirements • Rising high school juniors or seniors • Reside in USF AHEC 9-county service area • Must have a 3.0 un-weighted GPA • Applicants must meet the following criteria: • Underrepresented in the health professions • Disadvantaged • First generation college student • Low-income (free or reduced lunch)

8. The Application Process • Applicants must submit: • Completed and signed application • Official transcript • Personal essay (250 words) • Current photograph (headshot) • Two recommendation forms (Science, Math, or Health instructors) • Applications are mailed to high school counselors and health teachers; posted on AHEC website; provided during AHEC health career presentations • Due the first week in February

9. The Selection Process • Student applications are screened by USF AHEC, GNAHEC, and GSAHEC • 30 – 35 applicants are selected for an interview • Interviews are scheduled during students lunch • Accepted students receive an official acceptance letter in the mail • 26 students are accepted each year (4 alternates)

10. Key Components of the Academy • Recruitment of underrepresented students into the health professions • Imparts knowledge about scientific and health careers • Mentorship – direct interactions with college and medical students, as well as health professionals • College admissions and financial aid preparation

11. Key Components of the Academy • Career counseling and long-term college and career support • Scientific research and learning through technology-based resources • Exposure to college life

12. Academy Curriculum • Test Preparation and Strategies • SAT Review Course (33 - 35 hours, verbal & math) • Effective Writing Course • Study Skills Course • Career Explorations and Research • Career Counseling • College/Hospital Tours • Health Careers Lab • Medical/Scientific Research Project

13. Academy Curriculum • Applications and Finances • College Admissions workshop • Financial Aid and Budgeting workshop • AHEC Financing Your Health Career presentation • Healthcare Workforce Training • Florida AHEC Network Health Careers presentation • National Health Service Corps session • AHEC A.T.T.A.C. Program (Tobacco Education)

14. Academy Curriculum • Professional Development • Professionalism 101 Course: • Resumes • Interviewing skills • Appearance • Etiquette • PowerPoint 101 Workshop • Extracurricular Activities • A Day at MOSI • Group debriefings • Busch Gardens/Adventure Island

15. Academy Staff • Director – USF AHEC Coordinator, Diversity Initiatives • 3 Resident Assistants (2 females, 1 male) • Shift: 6 p.m. – 7 a.m. • 4 Student Counselors (2 females, 2 males) • Morning Shift: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. • Evening Shift: 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.

16. Resources for Implementation • Ideal for a college or university campus • Dormitory and cafeteria • Library and computer lab • Campus transportation • Classroom space • Outdoor activities • Health career majors, schools, colleges • Community academic partnerships (school districts, hospitals, clinics, museums, etc)

17. Budget • About $42,000 per year; cost include: • Room & board • Transportation • Facilitator, counselor, and RA stipends • Student stipends ($100 each) • SAT courses • Accidental insurance • Materials (backpacks, polo shirts, SAT book, binders) • Campus memberships and ID cards • Field trip tickets (Busch Gardens/Adventure Island/MOSI) • Parent receptions (2)

18. June 2009At-A-Glance Schedule

19. The Recipe for Success

20. Program Content • Relevant • Adult support and structure • High standards and expectations • Creative forms of learning • A combination of guidance, connections, and resources • Long-term services/support and follow-up • Youth as resources/community service • Implementation quality

21. Good Mentors • Academy mentor’s role is to motive youth to achieve their potential and provide guidance and advise to raise students awareness of the academic and social benefits of higher education. • Mentor characteristics: • Share similarities, but has more experience • Mutual respect and trust • Availability • Encouragement • A model of a continuous learner • Committed to the role of mentoring

22. Positive Outcomes • Program Evaluation • Pre/Post Test • Students attending college/health professions • Increased number of applications

23. Success Stories

24. Promising Practices: Tracking Students • The benefits of social networking sites to track students • Facebook Profiles: (for individuals) • Students as young as 13 can join • Students must register with a active e-mail account • You have access to their wall updates, educational status, interest, and sometimes their mailing address • Increasing popularity among youth

25. Promising Practices: Tracking Students • The benefits of social networking sites to track students • Facebook Pages: (for organizations, brands) • You can post messages relevant to student’s interest, upload videos, provide links, and connect to other interest • You drive traffic to your Website and resources • You can provide long-term college and career support

26. Academy Students College Acceptance Data: 2001 - 2009

27. Academy Students Entering College • Academy Alumni Survey: (2009 college acceptance data) • American University of Antigua • Barry University • Eckerd College • Florida A&M University • Florida Atlantic University • Florida State University • Harvard College • Pomona College • University of Central Florida • University of Florida • University of Georgia • University of Pennsylvania • University of Phoenix • University of Tampa • Various community colleges throughout Florida (tracking currently in progress)

28. Student Testimonial • “Thank you for reaching out to the community through the Summer Academy. It really changed my life. It got me so excited about my future in nursing. USF was never an option for college until that summer. I always had my hopes set on the University of Florida, but now I feel differently. USF seems more like a family and I love how they reach out to underserved communities. I am going to apply to USF for the fall 2009 and I can’t wait! Thank you again for everything you have done for me.” 2007 Academy Participant This person is currently an undergraduate student at USF!

29. Student Testimonial • The AHEC Health Professions Summer Academy was by far the most rewarding and exciting medical opportunity I have ever experienced. I am very honored to have been chosen to participate, and I will always cherish those wonderful two weeks. I have benefited from all aspects of the Academy, from the SAT classes and college prep courses to visiting medical centers and learning more about medical careers. AHEC also helped me realize the crucial need for health professionals in underserved communities. Also the ethnic diversity of my fellow students helped me to realize the necessity for such diversity in the medical professions. In college and beyond, I will uphold the value of appreciating a wide range of cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds.” 2006 Academy Participant Current student at Harvard College!

30. Academy Students in Action Tampa General Hospital Finances Workshop USF Health South USF College of Nursing Lab The Women’s Center at TGH Shriners Hospital Outdoor Sports

31. Benefits of the Academy to the Healthcare Workforce • Encourages students to attend college and pursue a health career (primary care) • Encourages students to work in medically underserved communities in Florida • Provides mentors and a social support network for students • Creates model citizens

32. For Further Information Contact: LaToya S. Clark, MPH Coordinator, Diversity Initiatives USF AHEC Program Office lclark2@health.usf.edu www.health.usf.edu/ahec 813-974-5973