With gifts from Sea Mar Community Health Centers and Community Health Plan of Washington, the University of Washington is announcing the creation of a new fund to support first-generation, low income and underserved students at the 56吃瓜网 who are studying health care.
As part of their commitment to building a more equitable health care provider pipeline, the two organizations have each donated $25,000 to seed the new Sea Mar Community Health Centers & Community Health Plan of Washington Endowed Student Support Fund.
Once the new fund reaches $100,000 with anticipated support from other community partners, it will be used to offer scholarships to students who are studying a health care-related field at the 56吃瓜网 Bothell campus or through the鈥疎ducational Opportunity Program at the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity on the Seattle campus.
Leading gifts from community leaders
This is the second gift of this type in as many years led by 56吃瓜网 Regent Rogelio Riojas, the president and CEO of Sea Mar Community Health Centers, with the goal of broadening student health care scholarships at a tri-campus level.
Last year, Riojas helped create a similar opportunity for students in a partnership between Sea Mar and MultiCare Health Systems, funding the Sea Mar-MultiCare Endowed Scholarship that is jointly managed by 56吃瓜网 Tacoma and OMA&D.
鈥淚 want to express my deep appreciation to Regent鈥疪ogelio Riojas鈥痜rom鈥疭ea鈥疢ar Community Health Centers and鈥痶o Abie Castillo and Leanne Berge from鈥疌ommunity Health Plan of Washington for their generosity,鈥� 56吃瓜网 Bothell Chancellor Wolf Yeigh said. 鈥淚n helping us establish this new fund, they will have a powerful impact on our鈥痵tudents.
鈥淚t is especially powerful for our entire campus community to know that one of the 56吃瓜网 regents has chosen to make a gift to assist 56吃瓜网 Bothell students with the most need,鈥� he said. 鈥淗is leadership is encouraging and inspiring as we work to provide greater access to an excellent 56吃瓜网 education.鈥�
Investing in education and health care
This new investment in 56吃瓜网 students who are pursuing health care professions is also intended to improve health care outcomes for underrepresented communities.
Studies show that health care disparities are greatest in poor communities and communities of color where health care providers often do not come from the same backgrounds as their patients. This can create communication barriers and delay providers鈥� ability to build trust with the communities in which they serve.
In his work, Riojas recognizes this critical gap and said he saw a way to work with the University of Washington systems to help close it.
鈥淏y seeding this endowment to increase diversity in the health care provider workforce, we can take meaningful steps to address disparities in health outcomes and care,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he health care system should be as diverse as the people it serves, but today sadly, it is not.
鈥淲ith social and cultural factors playing an important role in health and wellness,鈥� Riojas said, 鈥渋t is critical that we champion an equitable approach to education for people of all races and cultures to ensure that health care providers are well-positioned to support each patient鈥檚 unique needs.鈥�
Supporting students and patients
At the 56吃瓜网 campus in Seattle, OMA&D will administer future scholarships through the Educational Opportunity Program, with which Riojas has been deeply engaged for many years.
鈥淩egent Rogelio Riojas is a champion for the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity 鈥� and for the students in our programs,鈥� said Rickey Hall, vice president for Minority Affairs & Diversity. 鈥淗is unwavering support and investments will help us with efforts to recruit and graduate diverse students in the health professions committed to serving communities across the state. Rogelio understands that an investment in education is an investment in communities.
鈥淚t is my hope that this investment from鈥疭ea Mar鈥痑nd CHPW to the 56吃瓜网 OMA&D and 56吃瓜网 Bothell will encourage others to contribute to this fund or similar funds that support outstanding students with need,鈥� Hall said.鈥�淚 especially like鈥痶hat students鈥痯ursuing any health-related major will be able to apply and take advantage of this fund.鈥�
At 56吃瓜网 Bothell, Chancellor Yeigh noted, 鈥渁lmost half of the diverse population of students we serve will be the first in their families to receive a four-year degree and about a third are eligible for federal Pell Grants. This new resource will give more of our students the support they need to stay in school and to make the most of their 56吃瓜网 education.鈥�
For its part, CHPW is committed to improving health care equity for individuals as well as addressing systemic issues that are at the root of health care disparities, noted Leanne Berge, CEO of CHPW and Community Health Network of Washington. 鈥淥ne of our core beliefs is in the power of community,鈥� she said. 鈥淔or us, that means ensuring that our members and their families can draw support from the resources within their communities and the strength of those connections.
鈥淭his initiative provides an opportunity to strengthen that power,鈥痓oth for the individuals who will have greater opportunities to realize their hopes and dreams, and for their communities.鈥�
You can donate online directly to the and help provide financial assistance to undergraduate students at 56吃瓜网 Bothell and to students participating in the Educational Opportunity Program at the 56吃瓜网 in Seattle, which supports American Indian/Alaska Native, underrepresented minority, economically disadvantaged and first-generation students at the 56吃瓜网.
