Florida A&M University (FAMU) will host the Student Symposium on Health Professions on April 25 from 1-5 p.m. in the New Pharmacy Building, located at 1415 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The symposium is sponsored by the Florida Alliance for Health Professionals Diversity (FAHPD) and funded by the Florida Health Equity Research Institute (HERI).
The symposium will provide students with information on how to be competitive in the process of becoming a health professional. Students interested in the health and biomedical professions (e.g., medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, allied health sciences and the biomedical sciences) are encouraged to attend. This is FAMU’s second selection as the event’s host since its 2009 inception.
“It is our pleasure and honor to host the 2014 symposium at FAMU,” said Cynthia Harris, Ph.D., director of FAMU’s Institute of Public Health. “Since 2009, one of the signature programs of the FAHPD has been hosting a student symposium that exposes high school, graduate and pre-professional students to expert advice for success from outstanding health professionals in all fields.”
During the opening session, which starts at 1 p.m., President Elmira Mangum, Ph.D., will welcome attendees. The keynote speaker is Dr. Alma Littles, senior associate dean for Medical Education and Academic Affairs at Florida State University (FSU).
The event will also include three concurrent breakout sessions that focus on different areas of health profession development. Topics include:
· Preparing a Competitive Application and Tips for Success in Health Professional Schools;
· Financing Your Health Professional Education;
· and Strengthen Your Credentials for Health Professional School.
“This is a part of the statewide initiative to increase the number and diversity of health professionals in Florida,” said Michael Smith, Dr.P.H., coordinator of Academic and Medical Scholars Programs at FAMU. “We have been working very diligently to make this symposium an amazing experience for all who attend. This will be the showcase session for those interested in careers in the health professions because we are bringing together the best in the health and health science fields.”
FAMU’s Institute of Public Health, School of Allied Health, School of Nursing, School of the Environment, Medical Scholars Program, Post Baccalaureate Program, along with the departments of Chemistry, Biology and divisions of Physical Therapy, Health Informatics and Information Management will provide educational displays and presentations during the event.
The Student Symposium on Health Professions is a collaborative effort between FAMU, FSU and Tallahassee Community College. Dr. Louis Sullivan, former secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, is the creator of the symposium. The FAHPD is one of several national alliances with the mission of increasing the number of under-represented minorities in the health professions.
“We are very appreciative to Rep. Joseph Gibbons, sponsor of the bill that created HERI, our HERI colleagues, and all of our many statewide supporters and friends, who are passionate about reducing health disparities and increasing the pool of culturally diverse health professionals,” Harris said.
The symposium will provide students with information on how to be competitive in the process of becoming a health professional. Students interested in the health and biomedical professions (e.g., medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, allied health sciences and the biomedical sciences) are encouraged to attend. This is FAMU’s second selection as the event’s host since its 2009 inception.
“It is our pleasure and honor to host the 2014 symposium at FAMU,” said Cynthia Harris, Ph.D., director of FAMU’s Institute of Public Health. “Since 2009, one of the signature programs of the FAHPD has been hosting a student symposium that exposes high school, graduate and pre-professional students to expert advice for success from outstanding health professionals in all fields.”
During the opening session, which starts at 1 p.m., President Elmira Mangum, Ph.D., will welcome attendees. The keynote speaker is Dr. Alma Littles, senior associate dean for Medical Education and Academic Affairs at Florida State University (FSU).
The event will also include three concurrent breakout sessions that focus on different areas of health profession development. Topics include:
· Preparing a Competitive Application and Tips for Success in Health Professional Schools;
· Financing Your Health Professional Education;
· and Strengthen Your Credentials for Health Professional School.
“This is a part of the statewide initiative to increase the number and diversity of health professionals in Florida,” said Michael Smith, Dr.P.H., coordinator of Academic and Medical Scholars Programs at FAMU. “We have been working very diligently to make this symposium an amazing experience for all who attend. This will be the showcase session for those interested in careers in the health professions because we are bringing together the best in the health and health science fields.”
FAMU’s Institute of Public Health, School of Allied Health, School of Nursing, School of the Environment, Medical Scholars Program, Post Baccalaureate Program, along with the departments of Chemistry, Biology and divisions of Physical Therapy, Health Informatics and Information Management will provide educational displays and presentations during the event.
The Student Symposium on Health Professions is a collaborative effort between FAMU, FSU and Tallahassee Community College. Dr. Louis Sullivan, former secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, is the creator of the symposium. The FAHPD is one of several national alliances with the mission of increasing the number of under-represented minorities in the health professions.
“We are very appreciative to Rep. Joseph Gibbons, sponsor of the bill that created HERI, our HERI colleagues, and all of our many statewide supporters and friends, who are passionate about reducing health disparities and increasing the pool of culturally diverse health professionals,” Harris said.