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COLORADO RURAL
HEALTH SCHOLARS
PROGRAM
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Colorado Rural Health Scholars Program
(CoRHSP)
Who are we?
The Colorado Rural Health Scholars Program (CoRHSP) is a non-profit
residence-based science and medical program primarily designed for rural
students interested in careers in the health sciences. Special consideration
is given to minority and underprivileged students. CoRHSP is sponsored
by the University of Colorado SEARCH/AHEC office, the University of Colorado Denver, the University of Colorado School
of Medicine, and University Hospital. CoRHSP is staffed, supported and
directed by a group of eight dedicated medical students, University of
Colorado School of Medicine professors, and University Hospital personnel.
What are we?
CoRHSP is an intensive academic program designed for students interested
in the medical field. During the program, participants divide their
time between instruction, group project work, laboratories, hospital volunteer
positions, educational field trips, recreational field trips, other group
activities, and time spent with a mentor. The program is fairly structured,
however, during the week there is free time. However, nearly all activities
are done as a group and are planned to be quite interesting and fun as
well as a great learning experience!!
Background
The student-created CoRHSP successfully completed its fifth five-week
program this summer. The CoRHSP seeks to introduce high school students
from rural areas of Colorado to the health care fields through an intensive,
residence-based, summer program at the University of Colorado Denver. The program brings students from rural areas of Colorado to the
UCHSC where a dormitory on the University of Denver campus serves as the
program residence. The students are selected based on academic performance,
teacher recommendations, telephone interviews, underserved status, and
an expressed interest in health-related careers.
Objectives
The program seeks to provide motivated students from rural areas of
Colorado the opportunity to explore various aspects of the health field.
In general, the program hopes to give the students insight into the health
care professions as well as suggestions on how to begin to achieve their
career goals. CoRHSP attempts to address the needs of these students unique
to their socio/ethnic backgrounds and thus places special emphasis on the
health care needs of rural areas. By selecting students from rural communities,
the program hopes to help answer the need for rural health professionals
in Colorado. Through participating in the program the students will gain
confidence in their abilities to achieve their goals and learn to use the
resources available to them. Through classroom instruction, the students
will be exposed to advanced level material and concepts. In addition, they
will be given hands on experience through volunteer work at local hospitals
including University Hospital. The program will provide guidance and support
through a cohesive environment focusing on group interacction and communication.
Speakers will be invited with an emphasis on linking student participants
with health care professionals from similar/ethnic backgrounds. Lastly,
CoRHSP will strive to give the participants an appreciation of the challenges
and rewards of the health professions.
What do students get from the program?
- A full-ride scholarship: The program pays for all student expenses
of tuition, books, classroom fees, room and board. Basically, we cover
everything, including transportation costs to and from the program.
- A mentor: Every student is assigned a mentor who is a University
of Colorado Medical Student or Graduate Student. Often these relationships
extend beyond the duration of the program.
- A close circle of friends with similar goals and interests.
- Clinical experience: All students volunteer at University Hospital
two days a week. Most students will be to work with patients and view at
least one surgery.
- An intense and rewarding educational experience: Students will
be lectured to by some of the bext professors and student instructors at
the University of Colorado Denver. The atmosphere is supportive
without an emphasis on testing or competition. A team approach to
learning is emphasized.
- A continuing network with the program. The student's relationship
with CoRHSP will continue after the formal program has ended. We will continue
to keep students informed of educational opportunities as they become known
to us.
- Letters of recommendation for college and employment. Many of
the academic staff affiliated with the program are science instructors
who qualify to write you college recommendation letters.
- Full acces to the University of Denver athletic and recreational
facilities.
- And a whole lot more.
What to expect:
- Paricipation in CoRHSP is free of charge. Tuition, room and board expenses,
travel expenses, and educational costs are paid by CoRHSP.
- The residence focus will allow students from rural areas the opportunity
to participate in the program. It is integral in maintaining a rich and
stable learning environment. In addition, it has the valuable benefit of
encouraging interpersonal skills and introducing students to college life.
The Co-directors and counselors will live in the residence with the students
to provide guidance and support. All stff membres will be actively involved
with planning and organizing lectures, field trips, laboratory assignments
and other activities.
- Students will divide their time between classroom intruction and volunteer
work experience at University Hospital and other Denver area hospitals.
Three days per week will be devoted exclusively to classroom and laboratory
instruction. Two days per week will be spent in work positions such as
radiology, surgery, emergency room, and respiratory therapy.
- Classes will be taught by University of Colorado Denver
faculty and staff, medical school students, and area health professionals
who will volunteer their time for the program. Students will take part
in an assigned small group which includes one staff member to review the
subject matter of the day. This facilitates communication between students
and devotes time to the comprehension of the presented material.
- Laboratory experiences in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and other
basic sciences will be employed as educational aids.
- In order to improve oral and written communication skills, students
will be asked to write several short papers on topics and issues addressed
in lectures, seminars, and group discussions. They will be asked to make
an oral presentation discussing one of their papers.
- During the evenings, health care professionals will give overviews
of their fields to provide participants with a diverse introduction to
health careers and an opportunity to ask questions of practicing physicians
and other health professionals.
- Other speakers will also be invited to give the students exposure to
current issues facing today's society. Topics addressed will include alcoholism,
teen suicide, racism, AIDS, poverty, and substance abuse. Through these
presentations and discussions, CoRHSP will strive to give the participants
an appreciation of the challenges facing society and information on the
individual's role in overcoming these problems.
This page was last updated on 8/2000
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