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A new program will introduce West Michigan high school students from underrepresented and minority populations to a variety of careers in health care fields, with the ultimate goal of improving primary care and increasing diversity in health care professions.

ɫɫ�� Michigan University's ɫɫ�� Regional Area Health Education Center (AHEC), in partnership with and the , will welcome the initial cohort of 25 high school students and 25 undergraduate students in February 2021 to the Health Careers Pipeline Program (HCPP).

HCPP is a seven-week mentorship program focused on health career exploration, college readiness and leadership skills development. It matches ninth and tenth grade high school students from underserved rural and urban schools in West Michigan with undergraduate student mentors studying in health-related programs at ɫɫ�� or Grand Valley State University.

Students and mentors will meet weekly, participating in activities and discussions to introduce them to various health careers. College mentors will also talk with younger students about their own experiences in pursuing their passion for health care.

“We have students who are overcoming the same challenges these high school students will face,” says Lisa Brennan, executive director of the ɫɫ�� Regional AHEC. “First-generation college students, students from medically underserved areas, students of color; these students make our colleges stronger and, when they graduate, they’ll make our health care professions stronger, too. And their stories might be what inspires these younger students to do the same."

“The pipeline program provides students meaningful tools to be college-ready, exposure to health careers and insight on their personal development,” adds Dr. Nicholas Cozzi, chief resident of emergency medicine at Spectrum Health. “The program’s impact will be measured in our students and their contributions to the West Michigan community for years to come–our ultimate return on investment.”

Students from the MSU College of Human Medicine are also involved in the program, working on curriculum development. While they earn service-learning credit for their participation, the interprofessional and collaborative aspects of the project prepare the students for life after graduation.

“Programs like these are so rewarding for our students, for our communities and for our professions,” says Dr. Lisa Lowery, assistant dean for diversity and cultural initiatives at MSU College of Human Medicine and section chief of adolescent and young adult medicine at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. “Our students are intentional about their participation, paying attention to different health care systems, different educational institutions and earning invaluable experience working toward change in our communities.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us why programs like this one are so very important, especially in times when there’s great stress on the health care system,” says Dr. Paul Jaklitsch, president of Medical Staff Services of Spectrum Health, which has pledged a total of $50,000 over five years to support the program. Funding will be used to purchase all materials needed for students in the program.

“Whether this program helps strengthen and diversify our workforce, or if it simply bolsters health care options in underserved communities, programs like HCPP help all West Michigan health care providers meet basic needs,” adds Dr. Ken Johnson, former president of Medical Staff Services of Spectrum Health.

There are five in the state of Michigan, and each of them are charged with improving primary care and working toward greater diversity in health care professions. Michigan AHECs sponsor university-community partnerships statewide to engage with high school students in underserved, underrepresented and minority communities.

“We couldn’t do this without the support of community partners like Medical Staff Services of Spectrum Health,” says Brennan. “Their financial support allows us to offer this program to these students completely free, removing the greatest single barrier for programs like this one.”

For more information, visit wmich.edu/ahec/programs/pipeline.