Fifteen undergraduate students took part in the second Cultural Competency
Workshop May 19-23 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.
Students from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the University of Nebraska
at Kearney, Wayne State College, Hastings College and Midland Lutheran
College attended the workshop, which was coordinated by the UNMC Rural
Health Education Network.
During the workshop, students were familiarized with the cultural differences
of Nebraskas growing diverse population. Students learned about cultural
differences and similarities; studied factors that determine health disparities;
completed research projects; shadowed professionals in underserved areas;
conducted mock patient interviews; and worked on sensitivity training.
Upon completion of a 20-hour practicum at an underserved clinic, the students
will receive credit for one hour of study at their respective university
or college.
Some of the students from rural Nebraska arent exposed to cultures
other than their own, so their understanding and comfort level with people
who may not look or talk like them is not at an optimal level, said Roxanna
Jokela, director of RHEN. The Cultural Competency Workshop provides an
opportunity for these students to begin to gain an understanding of Latino,
Asian, Native American, African-American and other cultures.
The workshop was funded in part through the Nebraska Health Care Cash
Fund. Those funds come through the states settlement with tobacco companies
and are awarded on a competitive basis. The third Cultural Competency Workshop
is scheduled for May 2003.
The students who attended the workshop, listed alphabetically by hometown,
included:
Aurora: Katie Wagner, freshman, UNL;
Beatrice: Carrie Riha, junior, Hastings College;
Bertrand: Carrie Wilcox, freshman, UNL;
Columbus: Brett Bieber, sophomore, Midland Lutheran;
Elm Creek: Hilary Reichert, junior, UNK;
Fremont: Adam Lamprecht, sophomore, Midland Lutheran;
Hastings: Theresa Kober, freshman, Hastings College;
Hastings: Michelle Willmes, senior, Hastings College;
Litchfield: Heather Riessland, senior, UNL;
Manley: Daniel Witte, freshman, Midland Lutheran;
Mills: Elizabeth Shepperd, junior, UNK;
Nairobi, Kenya: Leonard Ogomo, freshman, UNK;
Ord: Ann Philbrick, sophomore, Wayne State College;
Seward: Andrew Miller, freshman, Midland Lutheran;
West Point: Emily Persson, freshman, Hastings College