Med-Start Tucson, Early Outreach Health Career Program, Underway

June 11, 2013
This month, 28 students from across Arizona began participating in the six-week Med-Start Tucson early outreach health career program at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson. The academic residential program on the UA campus runs from June 2 through July 13.
 
Arizona high school seniors are selected for Med-Start during a competitive selection process that this year received more than 400 applications.
 
The program, now in its 44th year, is administered by the Office of Outreach and Multicultural Affairs at the UA College of Medicine – Tucson. (The Med-Start Phoenix day program on the UA College of Medicine – Phoenix campus is in its seventh year and is hosting 24 students from the Phoenix Metropolitan area and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community from June 3 through July 6.)
 

Here’s what some Med-Start alumni had to say about their experience:

“Med-Start gave me a place to belong.” Gwen Gallegos, RN, 1969
 
“Med-Start gave me insight.” David Lee, pharmacist, 1974
 
“Med-Start gave me self-confidence.” Carlos Gonzales, MD, 1972
 
Med-Start has two goals: to address the critical shortage of a diverse health-care workforce and to provide students the opportunities to explore health careers and college in order to successfully reach their academic and career goals.
 
In 1969, UA College of Medicine founding Dean Merlin K. “Monte” DuVal, MD, lent his support to a group of idealistic and innovative minority medical students who championed the Med-Start cause. Since then, more than 1,000 students have enrolled in the program, and surveys of past participants show 80 percent are attending a university or community college and working toward their health-career goal. 
 
Med-Start 2012 students learning emergency trauma skills
After his death in December 2006, Dr. DuVal’s family established the Merlin K. “Monte” DuVal Memorial Med-Start Endowment, to generate funds to make it easier for more deserving young students to learn about the career opportunities that await them.
 
This year, the majority of the funding for Med-Start was provided by the Arizona Health Opportunities Pathways to Excellence (Az-HOPE) grant. Additional support was provided by the Merlin K. “Monte” DuVal Memorial Med-Start Endowment, Arizona Area Health Education Centers (AzAHEC), the UA College of Medicine – Tucson’s Arizona Hispanic Center of Excellence and the Arizona Latin-American Medical Association.

"Med-Start is a unique program built upon educational and community partnerships. This early outreach health career exploration program addresses the critical need for physicians and other health providers in Arizona and demonstrates the value of diverse partnerships in meeting workforce needs,” said Francisco Moreno, MD, deputy dean for diversity and inclusion at the UA College of Medicine – Tucson.

 
Med-start 2012 students learning EMS skills
Med-Start Tucson students experience college life by earning three units of college credit through UA. They learn about college success strategies in structured College 101 workshops and tour the UA, Northern Arizona University and Grand Canyon University campuses. Students reside in a UA residence hall and have access to all UA student amenities. 
 
In addition to exploring health careers, students participate in interactive presentations throughout the Arizona Health Sciences Center, learning skills needed in health professions, such as responding to a trauma situation, dissection skills, compounding ingredients into sunscreen, making hand sanitizer and visiting the cadaver lab. 
 
Med-Start alumni participate in weekly career chats, meeting in an informal setting with students and providing encouraging words and guidance to help students achieve their goals.
 
Participants in the 2013 Med-Start Tucson summer program by location of high school include:
 
From Bisbee, Ariz., Itzel Mares, Bisbee High School; David Silva, Bisbee High School;
 
From Douglas, Ariz., Maritza Garcia-Nunez, Douglas High School; Krisel Moreno, Douglas High School; Karina Palomares, Douglas High School; Yazmin Vasquez, Douglas High School;
 
From Ft. Defiance, Ariz., Caleigh Curley, Window Rock High School;
 
From Kayenta, Ariz., Joslynn Singer, Monument Valley High School;
 
From Keams Canyon, Ariz, Kira Beaudette, Hopi Junior-Senior High School;    
 
From Nogales, Ariz., Gabriela Chavez, Nogales High School; Alma Garcia, Nogales High School; 
 
From Rio Rico, Ariz., Jose Iribe, Rio Rico High School;
 
From San Carlos, Ariz., Dana Dosela, San Carlos Secondary School;
 
From San Luis, Ariz., Andrea Rodriguez, San Luis High School;
 
From Tucson, AZ., Alonso Dorame, San Miguel High School; Jasmine Duarte, Sunnyside High School; Courtney Edwards, Marana High School; Matthew Flores, Amerischools College Preparatory Academy; Abraham Foulkes, San Miguel High School; Francisco Montijo, Sunnyside High School; Connie Tran, Tucson Magnet High School, Kenny Tran, University High School;
 
From Winslow, Ariz., Chance Curley, Winslow High School; Tannon Tom, Winslow High School;
 
From Yuma, Ariz., Elidia Gerardo, Kofa High School; Margarita Lopez, Kofa High School; Beatriz Rodriguez, Kofa High School, Melissa Vanegas, Cibola High School.
 
For more information about the Merlin K. “Monte” DuVal Memorial Med-Start Endowment, or to contribute to this important effort, contact the UA College of Medicine – Tucson Development Office: Clint McCall, senior director of development, 520-626-2827, email cmccall@email.arizona.edu.