The University of Nebraska Medical Center recently hosted for one week 21 students from eight colleges across Nebraska. The students, who attended the Cultural Competency Workshop, learned about the growing diversity in Nebraska and the health professional’s role in providing culturally competent health care.
“The workshop provided a general overview of the growing cultural diversity in our state,” said Liliana Bronner, program coordinator with the Rural Health Education Network. “Students gained a historical perspective of culturally diverse health care and applied concepts they learned through patient scenarios.”
Travis Rump of Fremont, said the was an extremely rewarding experience. “I learned about many cultures in the United States that I would have never had knowledge of otherwise. This workshop provided me with great worthwhile tools that I will use in my medical practice someday.
“The workshop was an eye-opening opportunity to gain exposure to the various cultures that comprise this country and state,” Rump said. “The most rewarding activity was the job shadowing in an underserved clinic. This activity changed my views and gave me exposure to things I would not have had otherwise. It provided me with a wake up call to poverty and ethnic diversity. I plan to go back to my job-shadowing site to get more experience. Overall, I enjoyed this workshop to the greatest degree and feel that I am mow more culturally sensitive and a better person.”
During the weeklong workshop held Jan. 2-7, students learned about differences and similarities among ethnic populations, what factors determine health disparities and how to be culturally responsive. The workshop was first offered five years ago through funding from the Nebraska healthcare cash fund (tobacco settlement). It now is 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 worked in small groups and researched a clinical issue affecting underserved populations. On the final day of the workshop, students presented their findings during a student forum.
Many of the students, who are from rural communities, express and interest in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, and physician assistant professions.
As part of the workshop, the students are required to spend nine to twelve hours with an organization or in a health care setting that benefits underserved communities.
All participating students are listed below.
Amherst Jenna Derr
Fort Calhoun Adam Macdissi
Fremont Amanda Perry, Janae Rise, Travis Rump
Friend Erika Pearson
Gering Sondra Holloway
Lincoln Emily Hadley, Sara Zimbelman
Madison Jonathan Fullner
Ogallala Brittney Commins
Omaha Joanna Luebbert, Marc Saleme, Rhiannon Sorenson
Pierce Brett Woslager
Sargent Casey Holmes, Jack Smith
West Point Melinda Ahrens
Lakewood, Colo. Christine Lee
Boise, Idaho Caitlin Mohr
Watertown, SD Abigail Taylor