Eighteen college students from six undergraduate schools across Nebraska will spend the first week of January at the University of Nebraska Medical Center learning about the growing diversity in Nebraska and the health professional’s role in providing culturally competent health care.
“The workshop will provide a general overview of the growing cultural diversity in our state,” said Liliana Bronner, program coordinator with the Rural Health Education Network. “Students will gain a historical perspective of culturally diverse health care and apply concepts they learn through standardized patient scenarios.”
During the weeklong workshop, Jan. 2-7, students will learn about differences and similarities among ethnic populations, what factors determine health disparities and how to be culturally responsive. This workshop was first offered four years ago through funding from the healthcare cash fund. The program is now supported in part through the Rural Health Education Network and Area Health Education Center (AHEC) funds from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services.
The students will also work in small groups and research a clinical issue affecting underserved populations. On the final day of the workshop students will present their findings at a student forum.
Many of the students are from a rural community and have said they would like to practice in a small town. Areas of interest expressed by the students include medicine, pharmacy, and physician assistant.
After the weeklong workshop, the students are required to complete a 9-12 hour practicum, with a minimum of three visits, in a clinic setting that benefits an underserved community.
Media opportunities for pictures:
Date: Jan. 5
Time: 9 a.m. – noon
Where: Special Services Pavilion (SSP) rooms 3008, 3009 and 3011
What: Here the students will apply concepts learned by taking a patient’s history and performing an interview with a simulated patient.
Date: Jan. 7
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: Durham Research Center (DRC) room 1005
What: Students will be giving 20-minute group presentations based on the research they did during the week focusing on a clinical issue affecting underserved populations.
Date: Jan. 6
Time: 9:00 am – 12 noon AND 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
What: Students will be shadowing at clinics benefiting underserved communities in Omaha.
Where: Baker Place, Charles Drew Health Center (2 locations), Omaha Campus for Hope, UMA SONA Clinic, and Renaissance Health Clinic
Contact: Liliana Bronner 559-8106 or email her at LBRONNER@UNMC.EDU for a complete list of students, their shadowing sites, and exact addresses to these locations.
Hometowns and names of the students are listed below.
Beatrice – Robin Crow and Susan M. Newman
Bridgeport – Erin N. Schildt
Chester – Brandon Fraley
Cedar Bluffs and Colon – Quentin E. Stenger
Columbus – Craig M. Pekny
Crofton –Megan Poppe
Curtis – Jody A. Elson
Hayes Center – Danica M. Hamilton
Kearney – Dana Stubbs
Lincoln – Jill R. Russell
McCook – Amanda R. Goodenberger
Ogallala – Brandon Johnson and Meghan Piepho
Omaha – Angela Wheeler
O’Neill – Amber Wiekamp
Sidney – Cari R. Severinson
Belleville, KS – Layce L. Siemsen
–30–