Promoting Participation in the Health Science Professions: Summer Programs for Talented,Underrepresented Students in Science

Across the nation, there remains a critical shortage of health professionals and of students choosing to pursue health-related careers. This problem is particularly pervasive in the state of Oklahoma. In response to this need, faculty, administrators, and health professionals on two campuses of the University of Oklahoma have, collaborated over the past 9 years to develop and deliver summer academy programs in the health sciences professions for talented students and primarily for students who are underrepresented in science. These summer academy programs feature classroom and hands-on clinical practicum experiences to introduce students to the rigors of academic preparation required for the health profession careers and the opportunity to be involved in direct patient care and laboratory research experiences. The academies have the goal of ensuring that bright, talented young students are aware of career options in health care delivery, health care education, and health care research arenas. A secondary objective is to spark student interest in pursuing higher education in the health sciences and in pursuing health-related careers. The academy goals complement the state and national ongoing efforts to attract top scholars and meet health work force needs.