Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 18, 1994 TAG: 9405180066
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Medium
The grant, which is renewable depending on funds, was provided by the Virginia Area Health Education Center program.
Pat Duncan, the school's director, said its mentorship program was a key element in getting the grant. Students commuting to the regional school for a half-day of advanced science, math and technology classes work as interns with business, industry and health agencies part of each year.
Duncan said a third of the mentorships are with health-related agencies, such as Pulaski Community Hospital, which provided slots for 15 students.
The hospital and its educational director, Mary Hlavac supported the grant application along with superintendents from school systems in the school's service region.
Dr. James G. Nuckolls, chairman of the Southwest Virginia health education center, said the board would consider renewing the grant in future years if money is available.
``This project can make a positive impact on increasing the number of students from Southwest Virginia enrolled in health professions schools, improving their academic performance, and enhancing their interest in practicing primary care in under-served areas of our region,'' he said.
The funds will pay for laptop computers with programmed data on health occupations, which can be checked out by high school guidance counselors. When students express interest in a health career to counselors, Duncan said, ``they can say `Sit down right here and look at this.'"
The Virginia Area Health Education Center was established in 1991 with funding from the General Assembly and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It seeks to improve health care access in Virginia's under-served areas by linking resources and capabilities of academic health science centers with communities.
by CNB