by Tara Beverly

The Center of Excellence for Multicultural Medicine continues to make strides in meeting the challenge to diversify Ohio University’s student body through its grant funded programs. Through one such program, the Ohio University Health Careers Access Network (OU-HCAN), a recognition ceremony was held honoring students at Dunbar High School (Dayton) who participated in it. The May 17 event was held at Grandview Hospital and was co-sponsored by Kettering College of Medical Arts. A reception followed the event. OU-HCAN is part of the center’s Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP).

OU-HCAN is a three-year program that targets disadvantaged minority students and encourages them to pursue careers in health-care and medical fields. The program’s broader goal is to encourage and prepare disadvantaged minority students to go to college.

“All 17 seniors applied to OU, and so far, three have chosen to attend OU,” says Elizabeth Minor, HCOP director. “The Dunbar OU-HCAN directly supports Ohio University President Roderick McDavis’ goal to increase student diversity at OU through early outreach programming,” she adds.

During the ceremony each of the 45 students in the program received different recognitions and awards according to grade level. “The sophomores received Ohio University T-shirts, the juniors received a set of scrubs and the seniors were presented with lab coats donated by the Kettering College of Medical Arts,” says Minor. “The students were very excited.”

Harold C. Thompson III, D.O., assistant professor of emergency medicine, made opening remarks at the event. Third-year medical student Carl Ratliff was the keynote speaker. His speech focused on how through hard work and the support of the center’s staff and programs, academic achievement and success in medical school are attainable.

“This evening’s program is a culmination of the students’ hard work. I think that the program has been a success. This is only the third year that we have had graduating seniors. The program is really bearing fruit as the majority of the students are going off to college. Our goal is to get disadvantaged students prepared to attend college to pursue health careers and medicine,” says Thompson.

During the ceremony, several students told how the program has helped them reach their goals.

The first Kathy Gebard Award was presented to Dunbar senior Deonna Cole. This award was created in honor of Kathy Gebard, a CORE administrator who was extraordinarily committed to supporting the program and its participants. Gebard was killed in a plane crash Oct. 19, 2004. The award was presented to Deonna by Kathy’s husband, Timothy, in an engraved leather binder. “Beginning this year, this award will be presented to the student who has demonstrated unusual perseverance during the course of the program,” says Minor.

“OU reaps benefits from this program. At least four Dunbar high school students are attending OU next year and three have chosen science majors in preparation for medical school. Three of these students also applied for the Urban Scholars Scholarship.”

“We want our students to realize the opportunity for academic achievement and financial support is available to them at Ohio University.”