Promoting and Advancing Tribal Health, Workforce development, Academics and Youth Success (PATHWAYS) - PURPOSE: The need for health professionals in Tribal communities persist at a crisis level and is even more critical to meet the health needs of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI) patient populations. This proposal sounds the alarm for more support and mentorship to guide talented students through the health professions (HP) pathway into practice. Building on more than a decade of experience and impact, the Native American Center for Health Professions (NACHP) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health (UWSMPH), is optimally positioned to work with Wisconsin Tribal communities, clinics, education departments, regional Indigenous health focused organizations, and the wide range of UW programs to advance the recruitment, retention and graduation of AI students in the HPs and make positive and long-term contributions to promote the health of AI communities and patient populations. OBJECTIVES: PATHWAYS will provide 17 programmatic activities across the following 4 objectives to optimize training throughout the health-focused educational continuum: (1) Increase pre-college youth engagement and promote college access and HP exploration as our on- and off-campus points of entry to the educational HP pathway; (2) augment academic, pre-health and professional development opportunities for post high school learners (college) to increase the number of qualified AI student applicants to the medical degree and HP programs; (3) expand culturally responsive and community-based learning opportunities to support AI HP student retention, experience, and sense of belonging; and (4) augment AI health-focused training opportunities to promote Indigenous health learning and service to AI communities and patient populations through NACHP’s Tribal Engagement Office. METHODS: NACHP will reach pre-college and college students to promote PATHWAYS activities through our expansive local, statewide, regional, and national partnerships -including the PATHWAYS Advisory Council comprised of Tribal government delegates and Education Department representatives- to effectively recruit over 2430 pre-college students during this project. Additionally, through participation at the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, Association of American Indian Physicians, and Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science annual conferences, co-hosting the Great Lakes Applicant Workshop, partnering with the Universities of Wisconsin and the Tribal Colleges and Universities, NACHP will reach over 7100 college students to participate in the PATHWAYS summer program and opportunities. NACHP’s long-standing institutional and Tribal clinic partners provide undergraduate and HP students access to Indigenous health curriculum, Tribal clinic rotations, research initiatives, and the Distinguished Lecture Series. Lastly, NACHP’s early engagement with HP students enhances participation in culturally responsive programming through the Good Medicine Series to support student retention, well-being and belonging to reach 880 HP students. EXPECTED OUTCOMES: Collaborating with a vast range of partners across a wide geographic area will strengthen this proposal’s impact and reach to serve nearly 15,000 students who will benefit from PATHWAYS over the next 5 years. This proposal will ultimately produce UWSMPH AI graduates with clinical and public health skills prepared to promote the health of AI communities and serve as leaders and role models to recruit future students alongside academic, community, and Tribal government partners working together to meet the health needs of AI communities and patient populations.
