The 世界杯赌场盘口 牙科学院 and GEHA Solutions this month received the 2024 Inspiring Programs in 阀杆 Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education.

The award honors colleges and universities that encourage and assist students from a broad spectrum of diverse backgrounds to enter the fields of science, 技术, 工程与数学(阀杆).

根据院长史蒂文·哈斯博士的说法.M.D, J.D., 工商管理硕士, the school is grateful for the acknowledgement of their efforts to broaden the pathway into oral health careers.

“There is an immense benefit as a patient to receiving care from dental providers who understand and resonate with their background,哈斯说. “This recognition is a testament to the dedication of the 牙科学院 community and our invaluable partners, 例如GEHA解决方案, who exemplify impactful community engagement. We hope this inspires others to participate in similar initiatives.”

The oral health equity partnership between the Lee’s Summit, 密苏里州,-based GEHA Solutions and the UMKC 牙科学院 began in 2022 with the company’s investment of $150,000. Over the course of the three-year partnership, GEHA Solutions公司提供了590美元,000 to the school to support disadvantaged students who have a commitment to oral health equity, especially among dentally underserved communities.

The funds established 15 annual fellowships that provide stipends for students participating in the UMKC pathway program, 学生在学术界的培训, Health and 研究 (STAHR) Scholars Program. 自2022年以来, the funds have provided financial support, enabling recipients to focus on test prep and enhancement of their qualifications as dental school applicants. The partnership also established 14 one-time scholarships to support and help attract incoming dental hygiene and dental students.

STAHR Scholars is an innovative summer program intended to develop competitive health professions applicants. 成立于2018年, the program is a collaboration between the UMKC schools of medicine, dentistry and pharmacy designed to increase representation in healthcare fields from a broad spectrum of backgrounds.

珍娜·米尔斯, GEHA Solutions副总裁, 亲眼目睹了如何指导, support and mentorship the STAHR program provides these students, setting them up to reach their full potential.

“I’ve had the great pleasure to meet STAHR fellows as well as dental and dental hygiene students, learning of their backgrounds and the obstacles they have overcome to be ready to enter and succeed in dental school,米尔斯说. “To say I am impressed is an understatement. Our oral health delivery system will benefit from having such a talented and diverse group of individuals in the coming years.”

This is the second time the UMKC 牙科学院 was recognized by Insight Into Diversity magazine, having received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity award for health professions schools in 2016. UMKC医学院, a participating partner in the STAHR program, received the same award in 2022 and 2023. UMKC于2019年获得该奖项.

据Lenore Pearlstein说, owner and publisher of Insight Into Diversity magazine, many 阀杆 programs are not always recognized for their dedication to encouraging students from a broad spectrum of backgrounds to pursue these fields.

“We want to honor the schools and organizations that have created programs that inspire and encourage young people who may currently be in or are interested in a future career in 阀杆,珀尔斯坦说. “We are proud to honor these programs as role models to other institutions of higher education and beyond.”