Diversity in the Health ProfessionsHigh School Science Program Fosters Future Medical Professionals
uan is the son of parents who immigrated from Mexico to rural Stockton, California. Tragically orphaned at a young age, he faced many hardships growing up. As Juan neared high school graduation, he not only encountered financial barriers to college, but also lacked information about options for his future. In his senior year, Juan participated in the Stanford Medical Youth Science Program (SMYSP), which exposed him to higher education and health careers. This experience put him on track for a career in public health, and today Juan is a communicable disease investigator for the County of Santa Clara. SMYSP’s goal is to reach out to students like Juan and promote the representation of ethnic minorities and low-income groups in the health professions through community outreach, education, training and research. In December 2000, TCWF provided a $100,000 grant to SMYSP for core operating support. Alicia Procello, program director, said SMYSP benefits not only program participants, but the health of Californians as a whole.
Now in its fourteenth year, SMYSP was the brainchild of two undergraduate Stanford students and Dr. Marilyn Winkleby, senior research scientist at the Stanford Center for Research in Disease Prevention. Together they designed a summer course that remains at the heart of SMYSP’s activities. The residential program is directed by 10 Stanford undergraduates and hosts 23 to 24 high school students each year. During a five-week period, participants take classes in human anatomy, organic chemistry, microbiology, physiology, public health and preventive medicine. Two days a week, students work side-by-side with health care professionals as interns. SMYSP also offers extensive follow-up services and maintains an active alumni network. Among its 285 graduates, 99 percent have enrolled in various colleges, including many top universities in the nation. To enter the program, students must be from the Northern California region, which includes both rural and urban areas; come from low-income families; have no tradition of college graduation in their families; and have at least a B average in science courses. “We’re looking for the student who doesn’t have academic role models in place in his or her life, and we provide support and encouragement,” said Gregory Vaughn, SMYSP’s executive director. In addition to the summer course, SMYSP involves students in research projects year-round, maintains a website with information about college resources, and offers classes about culturally competent health care for students and faculty at several Northern California universities. With funding from The California Endowment, SMYSP also provides health career workshops for outlying rural high schools and, in partnership with UC San Diego, is replicating the summer residential program to serve students from six San Diego community colleges. “The grant from The California Wellness Foundation is absolutely indispensable,” Vaughn said. “Without this kind of support for our core operating budget, we can’t operate.” TCWF’s Procello said the program provides a wonderful opportunity for students who may not have considered anything more than community college. “SMYSP taps into an ethnically and geographically diverse group of kids and helps them raise their own expectations for their futures,” she said.
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Summer
2001
| INSIDE: Grantees Address Health Disparities Teens on track for medical careers Consumer education for rural elders Local advocacy for women’s health
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