DUSON Welcomes HEA Mentoring to Increase Access to Health Professions Cohort

On Monday, June 19, DUSON welcomed the first cohort of the Health Equity Academy Mentoring to Increase Access to  Health Professions (MAP). Pictured from left to right: Shadelle Gregory, Alexis Jones,Shema Gordon, Cendal Atkins, Asheley Taylor, Illiyah Edwards, Shawquinette Davis, Daje Broadway, Elease Cook and Tatiyana Germain)

This program is slightly different than cohorts in the past. While awaiting a decision from HRSA to extend the previous program, Duke University School of Nursing funded the summer program. These students are rising juniors or seniors in college and are interested in various health professions.

The purpose of this program is to address personal, environmental, and institutional barriers associated with URMs obtaining health professional degrees. The MAP framework will employ evidenced-based mentoring strategies that facilitate students’ integration and completion of a health profession program. Mentorship by health professionals and faculty will address barriers to successful progression of URMs. Integration is achieved through immersion experiences and paced matriculation into graduate level courses. Activities will cultivate interest in the profession, improve entry-level competencies and self-confidence, create support systems, and identify resources for affording nursing and other health professions education.