Thirty students enrolled in public health- and healthcare-focused programs were selected to participate in the 2022-2023 Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Scholars Program that began in September.
According to the American Heart Association, the students from 18 universities in California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and Texas will be paired with a volunteer mentor who is either a healthcare professional or is currently performing their scientific research.
Scholars and mentors will present a research project addressing basic, clinical, and education science. Each scholar will receive a stipend and participate in professional development workshops that will benefit them as they continue their education and enter the workforce.
Highlights of the program include travel to attend the American Heart Association’s spring symposium in April when scholars will present posters of the research they conducted throughout the program year.
“The scholars and mentors in the Hispanic Serving Institutions Scholars program are helping improve cultural sensitivity in clinical practice and transform science and research into more inclusive. As champions for healthcare quality and access for all, the American Heart Association is committed to empowering the next generation of research and healthcare professionals by providing undergraduate students with academic and career-enriching resources, including scholarships and mentoring,” said Michelle A. Albert, volunteer president of the American Heart Association, and professor of medicine at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF).
Now in its second year, the program is funded by a financial grant from Quest Diagnostics as part of its Quest for Health Equity (Q4HE) initiative, focused on addressing healthcare disparities that impact underserved communities across the U.S.
“We are proud to collaborate with the American Heart Association to expand research and mentorship opportunities for HSI Scholars,” said Ruth Clements, president of the Quest Diagnostics Foundation. “This program is helping to shape the future healthcare leaders who will diversify the industry, address inequities and help improve patient outcomes in meaningful ways.” Click here to see the full list of scholars.
According to the Association of American Medical Colleges and the United States Office of Minority Health less than 7% of all physicians are of Hispanic heritage.
As part of a shared strategic focus on addressing disparities in health care, the American Heart Association and Quest Diagnostics will help launch the research and health care careers of over 100 diverse students at nearly 30 minority-serving institutions over the next two years.
Montclair State University announced that in its first year of participating in the program, Montclair has the largest number of scholarship winners, six of the 30 scholars selected nationally. They include Jeffrey Yumbla, a biochemistry major; Melissa Spigelman, a molecular biology major; Lizet Negrete, a public health major; Wendy E. Islas, a molecular biology major; Yaire Hernandez, a public health major; and Kenneth Mosquera-Reinoso, a biochemistry major.
A pinning ceremony celebrates the 6 Montclair State University students participating in the American Heart Association’s Hispanic Serving Institutions Scholars Program, a program funded by @QuestDX https://t.co/eaJ6gJld4i
— Quest Diagnostics Employer Population Health (@QuestEmpPopHlth) January 4, 2023
Our Miami Hispanic Serving Institution Scholars attended the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions in Chicago! This is one of the many academic and career-enriching experiences our HSI scholars receive throughout the year. pic.twitter.com/eZFQUaCbFP
— American Heart Association – Florida (@AmericanHeartFL) November 22, 2022
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