Eighteen undergraduate college students from six undergraduate schools across Nebraska spent the first week of January at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, learning about the growing diversity in Nebraska and health professionals’ role in providing culturally competent health care.
During the workshop, which took place Jan. 2-7 in Omaha, the students learned about cultural differences and similarities; studied factors that determine health disparities; completed research projects; shadowed professionals in underserved areas; and conducted mock patient interviews, among other activities.
“The Cultural Competency Workshop is essential for students who want to become health care professionals,” said Liliana Bronner, program coordinator for the UNMC Rural Health Education Network, which coordinated the workshop. ““Students gained a historical perspective of culturally diverse health care and applied concepts they learn through standardized patient scenarios.”
Most of the students who participated in the workshop are from rural communities. They have expressed interests in becoming a physician, pharmacist and physician assistant.
Jody Elson of Curtis, a third-year student at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, said she enjoyed the simulated patient interviews and the opportunity to “shadow” health care providers at underserved clinics.
“The Cultural Competency Workshop was an amazing experience,” said Elson, who plans to become physician specializing in family medicine. “As a future health care provider, this workshop has helped me to become more aware of the challenges facing our society regarding ethnic diversity. I am grateful that UNMC provided such a wonderful opportunity for me to begin my journey to becoming a more culturally aware individual and professional.”
Jill Russell, a pre-medicine major at Nebraska Wesleyan University, also enjoyed the shadowing experience, as well as the workshop’s speakers.
“My perceptions have definitely changed and I hope that I will be able to incorporate what I have learned into my future career,” Russell said.
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.
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.
The students who participated in the workshop include:
Beatrice – Robin Crow
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
Grand Island – Susan M. Newman
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