Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Creighton Receives Grant to Increase Diversity in Health-Care Professions

Creighton University has received a five year, $3 million grant which will fund the Pipeline to Success program, with the goal of increasing diversity in the health-care professions.

The principal investigator on the grant, Dr. Sade Kosoko-Lasaki, Associate Vice Provost for the School of Health Sciences, and Professor in the School of Medicine, says the 2018 data shows an obvious need for a program like this. She says only 1.7% of Nebraska physicians are African-American and 2.3% are Hispanic --  with similar percentages for dentists, physical therapists and occupational therapists.

Kosoko-Lasaki says Pipeline to Success has components for economically or educationally disadvantaged high school, college, and health care professions students.

The high school component will increase students’ awareness of opportunities in the health care field, and help them become better prepared through tutoring, mentoring and speaker events.

“And if we’re trying to bridge the gap and help these students who, for one reason or another, lack awareness on how to navigate the system, they are less likely to take a core science curriculum because they don’t know – most of them are first generation – they don’t even know if they are financial aid eligible.”  

Kosoko-Lasaki says Pipeline to Success will focus on students from the area.  Community partners include Omaha Public Schools, Metro Community College, Heart Ministry and One World Community Health Center. 

For more information, the website is healthsciences.creighton.edu/diversity/pipeline-programs