Project Title: Native American Center of Excellence (NACOE) Organization Name: University of Montana, Skaggs School of Pharmacy Address: 32 Campus Drive, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812 Director: Lori Morin, PharmD, MBA Phone: 406-243-4097 Project Period: 7/1/2022-6/31/2027 Fax: 406-243-5235 Email: lori.morin@umontana.edu Target URM: Native American; Target Audience: Pharmacy Students and Faculty The overall goals of the Native American Center of Excellence (NACOE) program at the University of Montana, School of Pharmacy are to increase the number of Native American (NA) faculty and students in pharmacy, to improve the health care delivery to NA populations through better professional preparation, and achieve cultural awareness for all pharmacy graduates using an interprofessional education process where appropriate. To achieve these goals, the UM-NACOE has identified a cohesive series of activities with our partners to achieve these purposes. To improve the applicant pool, we will recruit across the region where there are high populations of NAs. A competitive applicant pool is enhanced through partnerships with Tribal Colleges and networking with other state and university programs that target NA students. Student performance will be improved by offering a stipend for summer pre-matriculation program, tracking the progress of NA students and provide remediation in the form of tutoring, individual advising, schedule changes, and referral to campus-based resources other than those available from the NACOE program. A Faculty Development Plan includes opportunities for NA clinical faculty to receive mentoring, on-site coaching, and on-campus preceptor training. Clinical Faculty will benefit from a comprehensive site/preceptor evaluation and are eligible for other professional development opportunities that may not otherwise be available to them. A graduate student stipend will increase the chances of helping a Native student earn
an advanced degree and proceed to a faculty rank. Faculty and student research will be increased by our partnerships with the College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences. Laboratory and travel funds will help faculty and students prepare projects and disseminate the results of those projects. Summer students will receive a stipend for their participation in the summer academic enrichment program. Information resources, clinical education, curriculum, and cultural competence will be improved through the enhancement of a culturally relevant library, the establishment of more NA clinical sites and a review of the curriculum, that culminates in the inclusion of cultural concepts into individual courses. Offering a course in NA healthcare and the establishment of cultural programming compliment these activities. A Minority Health and Cultural Competency lecture series will provide faculty, students and other health care professionals information about the health care needs of minority groups in Montana and the region. The presenters often become mentors to students. Student training in the provision of health care to NA populations will be improved by the development of more experiential sites at Indian Health Service and community based health facilities that serve significant NA populations.