Health science learning academy: a successful "pipeline" educational program for high school students

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Medical School Admissions
• Pipeline Programs

Background:

• Underrepresented minorities face barriers in accessing health professions education.
• The Health Professions Partnership Initiative (HPPI) was established to address this disparity.
• The Health Science Learning Academy (HSLA) is a key component of the HPPI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To increase the number of underrepresented minority Georgia residents entering health professions.
• To create a pipeline of qualified high school and college students for health careers.
• To enhance the number of underrepresented minority applicants and matriculants to the Medical College of Georgia (MCG).

Main Methods:

• Collaboration between MCG, high schools, historically black colleges and universities, and community organizations.
• The HSLA program provided Saturday enrichment classes focusing on SAT preparation and core academic subjects.
• Tracking student progress and faculty development were integral parts of the program.

Main Results:

• 203 students participated in the HSLA since its inception in 1996-1997.
• All 38 students who completed the four-year program enrolled in college.
• HSLA participants achieved a mean SAT score of 1,066, significantly higher than the school average of 923.

Conclusions:

• The HSLA program demonstrates success in improving academic preparedness and college enrollment for underrepresented minority students.
• Pipeline programs are crucial for increasing the diversity of the physician workforce.
• Early results indicate the HSLA is effectively accomplishing its goals, showing promise for future medical school matriculation.