Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
Increasing the representation of American Indian/Alaska Natives (A/ANI) in health professions has been a longstanding struggle. In an unprecedented effort, the AAIP and AAMC created the report “Reshaping the Journey: American Indians and Alaska Natives in Medicine” to serve as a national call to U.S. medical schools to assist in addressing the needs and challenges that face our Native communities (Acosta, 2018). The INSPIRE proposal will join the call to enhance opportunities, access and support for AI/AN’s pursuing a career in medicine and health professions. With a keen focus on collaboration and partnerships with tribal nations INSPIRE will expand AI/AN student support and access to key learning opportunities that will enhance AI/AN applicant qualifications and preparedness for a career in medicine. Utilizing culturally responsive programming, mentorship and community support, INSPIRE will recruit, retain and graduate AI/AN students at the UW-Madison while supporting their training and service to AI/AN populations and communities. INSPIRE will engage AI students throughout the health professions pathway through these objectives: 1) provide health career exposure to A/ANI pre-college and college students to increase their interest and aptitudes for medicine and health professional programs; 2) increase the number of qualified AI applicants for medical and health professional programs; 3) provide culturally responsive programming through community-based learning opportunities to support sense of belonging and AI student retention; and 4) expand Native-specific health focused training to promote service to AI people and communities. INSPIRE will engage pre-college and college students through tribal community visits at each of Wisconsin’s 12 tribal communities to promote career interests and health pathway programs including the annual Indigenous Health and Wellness Day, Great Lakes Native American Research Center for Health, Science Scholars Program, PEOPLE Program, Information Technology Academy, and Allied Health Education Center summer enrichment programs. Participating students who have an expressed interest and aptitude for health will be identified as INSPIRE Scholars, which will foster intentional recruitment strategies to enhance their participation, access and engagement in critical pre-health programs available at UW. College students will be recruited to participate in existing pre-health programs designed for underrepresented students such as the AHEC Wisconsin Express program, Health Professions Shadow Program, Rural and Urban Scholars in Community Health, and Community Health Internship Program to increase their experience in health to prepare them for medical and health professional programs. Medical and health professional students at UW will have an opportunity to participate in a newly designed inter-professional tribal health elective, participate in tribal clinic rotations and address health equity needs at a tribal community site through a Community Health Education Project. Students will also immerse themselves in tribal communities through the wild ricing and corn harvest cultural trips. Family Dinners will foster a sense of belonging. INSPIRE will also develop a podcast to expand access to information and resources about medical and health professional careers, bring awareness about health issues facing AI populations and further promote service to AI communities in health. INSPIRE is focused on robust student-centered strategies to sustain and grow outreach, recruitment and retention strategies to support AI students pursuing medical and health professions. By further leveraging UW and tribal community partnerships, INSPIRE will be able to maximize resources that will expand opportunities and support available to AI students. Through INSPIRE’s multi-pronged approach and NACHP’s support from Wisconsin tribes, UWSMPH will increase the number AI students pursuing medicine and serving AI populations.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
