Who We Are
The Urban Health Scholars Program (UHS) was first considered by two medical students who were doing a cultural competency project with the Office of Multicultural Affairs. The students saw a need to connect our medical school community with urban communities, which is ultimately where the majority of our students will practice medicine. Another hope the founding students had was to attract more minority students to apply to Dartmouth Medical School. Some minority students may not apply due to Dartmouth's rural location and we want students to have the opportunity to connect with underserved patients and minority communities throughout their four years while living in the Upper Valley.
With financial assistance from the AOA medical student honor society and the Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Foundation, we launched the UHS program in the fall of 2006. We selected five first year medical students and three second year medical students. Our goal is to select four new scholars with leadership potential and particular interests in urban health to the program each year.
We currently provide exciting opportunities for scholars to learn about urban healthcare service and delivery to underserved communities in Boston, MA and Manchester, NH. Scholars participate in urban health cultural tours, national conferences, connect with urban health departments (i.e. Homeless shelters, state health departments, and community clinics), host educational events, discuss scholarly papers, and bring speakers to campus. The scholars work to increase awareness of urban issues and health disparities among their peers and the community at large. Additionally, scholars find opportunities to serve patients and participate in community events in the Boston and Manchester areas. The scholars have volunteered at the Mattapan Health Revival Fair for the past two years and are involved in a health career mentoring program at Manchester's Central High School.
With help from the Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Foundation, we will carry the program forward and continue to expand the urban health opportunities for Dartmouth students. We sincerely thank the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation for their financial support. To learn more about the HPHCF, download their borchure. To read more about the partnership of HPHCF and Dartmouth Medical school, click here.
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation
With a mission to prevent disease and promote health, the Harvard Pilgrim Foundation provides funding and engages in partnerships with local, community-based, nonprofit organizations that are implementing prevention programs and promising practices for health promotion.