Granville Wrensford, Ph.D.

Assistant Dean and Associate Director
Department of Health Career Opportunity Programs
Associate Director, Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative

It is a pleasure to welcome you to the Department of Health Career Opportunity Programs. We are committed to the recruitment and retention of students from diverse groups who are underrepresented in the health professions. Statistics show that underrepresented groups as a percentage of the overall population are steadily increasing. However, the percentage of these individuals who are practicing health professionals has not seen an equivalent increase. Health professionals play an important role in the welfare and stability of a nation. As older generations of health care providers retire, more and more individuals will be needed to replace them. To ensure that we have individuals with the skills necessary to continue excellent health care services, we must develop a diverse competitive applicant pool ready to be trained and assume the role of the retiring individuals. The philosophy of our Department is to develop and maintain a strong diverse pipeline of individuals who are committed to improving the quality of life for all. Thus, we have many programs that are aimed at strengthening the pipeline. Starting with the Great Explorations Program in the middle schools and continuing with many programs in high school and college, students have an opportunity to be exposed to the various health professions and explore the endless possibilities in health careers.

The Department also provides a nurturing environment to those students who are enrolled in the Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine and the Graduate Programs at UConn Health. These students are also given the opportunity to serve as mentors to the students of the many high school and college programs sponsored by the Department. Support is also provided to the Student National Medical Association, the Student National Dental Association/Hispanic Student Dental Association, and the Latino Medical Student Association.

We invite you to be a part of the Health Career Opportunity Programs experience here at UConn Health.

Please contact us for further information at 860-679-3483 or you may contact me at gwrensford@uchc.edu.