i. PROJECT ABSTRACT Project Title: “Meharry Medical College: Health Caring National Health Careers Opportunity Programs (HCOP” Organization Name: Meharry Medical College Address: 1005 D.B. Todd, Jr. Blvd, Nashville, TN 37208 Project Director: Cherae M. Farmer-Dixon, DDS. MSPH, FACD Program Director Phone: (615)327-6207; fax (615) 327-6213 Email: cdixon@mmc.edu Funds requested: $640,000/year for 5 years ($3,200,000) HHS Region: Region IV Meharry Medical College will have comprehensive ambassador and academy programs consisting of structured activites designed to provide qualified college, high school, and older adult/non-traditional students from disadvantaged backgrounds an opportunity to develop the skills needed to successfully compete for, enter, and graduate from health and allied health profession schools. Legislative Purposes-Outcome Objectives: 1) To implement recruitment strategies to identify, recruit, and enroll 40 individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds into 2 structured programs: (a) the HCOP Pre-matriculation Academy for 20 high academic achieving high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and; (b) the HCOP Adult/Non-Traditional/Veterans Academy for 20 older individuals and veterans; 2) To implement counseling, mentoring, and other services such as academic support initiatives (critical thinking, time management, math/science enrichment, and test taking skills) designed to assist successful completion of the education for all program participants; 3)To implement preliminary education and health research training for all program participants. with an emphasis on research related to health disparities, health equity, and social determinants of health; 4)To provide financial aid information dissemination on scholarship options, loan alternatives, debt counseling, etc., to all program participants; 5) To provide primary care exposure activities in community health centers and settings in medically under
served communities to all program participants; 6) To develop a more competitive applicant pool by implementation and cultivation of community partnerships and linkages with institutions of higher education, school districts, and other community-based entities; and, 7) To provide stipends for 25 qualified disadvantaged college students participating in the Ambassadors Program, 20 high school students participating in the HCOP Pre-matriculation Academy and 20 individuals participating in the HCOP Adult/Non-Traditional Academy. The Funding Preference Comprehensive Approach at Meharry Medical College will develop a culturally competent healthcare workforce that will serve the unserved and underserved populations of Nashville/Davidson County, the state of Tennessee, and nationally by increasing the number of individuals from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds in health professions schools. Utilizing linkages and partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, and Tennessee community-based organizations, the program will consolidate resources by establishing a competitive health professions applicant pool and enhance the comprehensive preparation, both academically and socially, of individuals to successfully complete a health professions degree.