If I am selected for the UST/AHEC Scholars Program, am I committed to a career in primary care?
There is no required commitment to primary care for students enrolling in program. That having been said, we do want to attract students who have an interest in primary care. We recognize that it is not feasible to have students commit early in their careers to one particular area. We hope through exposure to providers and agencies providing such care, Urban Health/AHEC Scholars will gain a healthy appreciation for the possibilities and rewards for a career in primary care.
How will enrichment activities provided to Urban Health/AHEC Scholars impact my dental, medical, pharmacy, nursing, physician assistant and social worker curriculum?
The UST/AHEC Scholars Program provides students with additional enrichment opportunities to strengthen their knowledge of issues and vulnerable populations in our urban communities. Activities are planned with exam schedules in mind, and with the goal to not overwhelm student participants. Whenever possible, enrichment activities have been substituted for other curricular requirements, with permission of faculty from the respective schools so students can achieve such balance. For example, in the School of Medicine, whenever possible, Urban Health/AHEC Scholars are placed at community health centers for their Student Continuity Practice.
What is my time commitment to the UST/AHEC Scholars Program?
During the two-year curriculum, a total of seven learning retreats (four hours in length) must be attended. During each academic year, two are held in the fall and one or two are held in the spring (two for first-year AHEC Scholars and one for second-year AHEC Scholars).
Students must also attend the academic year opening and closing programs/receptions, as well as a Clinical Skills Boot Camp (one per year) and three enhanced trainings: first-year Scholars participate in SBIRT (Substance Abuse Intervention Referral Training) and second-year Scholars participate in Caregiver Burnout and Today's Health Care Professional Toolkit activities. Second-year Scholars also participate in four Leadership Cabinet dinner discussions.
In addition, students must participate in at least two service outreach activities per semester; students from the School of Pharmacy must consult Dr. Dang about this. All applicable UST/AHEC Scholar service opportunities are UST/AHEC Scholar Program-sponsored and can be found under the Events and Activities link.
Each year a group of Urban Health/AHEC Scholars are invited to participate in professional development activities that focus on advocacy and public policy for vulnerable and underserved population. These activities include attending the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) Policy and Issues Forum in Washington DC, profession-specific conferences and meetings, as well as participation in an inter-professional community research project.
What types of financial resources are available to students through the UST/AHEC Scholars Program?
Urban Health/AHEC Scholars receive financial support for a variety of professional development activities. Interested students should contact the Director of the Urban Service Track/AHEC Scholars Program to learn more about the activities supported. Financial support for all UST/AHEC Scholar activities is dependent upon availability of program resources.