Unlocking Opportunities: The American Heart Association HBCU Scholars Program

The American Heart Association (AHA) HBCU Scholars Program stands as a beacon of opportunity, fostering the next generation of Black professionals in biomedical and health sciences. Recognizing the critical underrepresentation of Black individuals in these fields, the AHA has committed to building a pipeline of diverse healthcare professionals through this impactful program. This article delves into the requirements, objectives, and overall significance of the AHA HBCU Scholars Program.

Addressing a Critical Need

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, only a small percentage of medical students and physicians are Black or African American. Specifically, data indicates that around 8% of medical students and 5% of physicians identify as Black or African American. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for initiatives like the AHA HBCU Scholars Program to address the lack of diversity in the healthcare workforce.

Clinical research studies published in the American Journal of Public Health suggest that patients of color may experience uncomfortable interactions and communication barriers with their health care providers due to a lack of diversity and face implicit and unconscious bias from physicians and other health care professionals. These barriers, in turn, can lower patients’ trust in the overall health care system, and as a result, these patients may not complete prescribed treatments or follow-up on recommended care.

Program Objectives

The AHA HBCU Scholars Program is designed to increase the number of Black students who can compete successfully for acceptance into graduate programs leading to professional degrees in the biomedical and health sciences. By providing comprehensive support and resources, the program aims to equip scholars with the skills and networks necessary to excel in their respective fields and become leaders in addressing critical health disparities.

The Association’s HBCU Scholars are enrolled in biomedical or other health sciences programs at their respective institutions. Through their participation in the Scholars program, they will study how the social determinants of health and other health disparities impact underserved communities.

Key Objectives:

Increase Representation: To significantly increase the representation of Black professionals in biomedical and health sciences.
Foster Talent: To nurture the talent and potential of under-represented students in science and medicine.
Enhance Preparedness: To improve the preparedness of students for careers in biomedical science.
Promote Growth: To support the personal and professional growth of scholars through mentorship and leadership development.
Address Health Disparities: To encourage scholars to study and address the social determinants of health and health disparities in underserved communities.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

The AHA HBCU Scholars Program has specific requirements to ensure that selected students are well-positioned to benefit from the program and contribute to its mission. College sophomores, juniors, and seniors from historically underrepresented communities with a 3.0 GPA or higher, who are currently enrolled in an HBCU or HSI and seeking a professional degree in biomedical and health sciences, are eligible for the program.

Key Requirements:

GPA: A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher.
Enrollment: Must be enrolled as a sophomore, junior, or senior at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) or a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).
Major: Pursuing a professional degree in biomedical or health sciences.
Application: Completion of a formal application, including an essay.
Recommendation: An official recommendation from their school.

Accepted students are selected based on their GPA, completion of a formal application, which includes an essay, and an official recommendation from their school.

Program Components and Benefits

The AHA HBCU Scholars Program offers a range of components and benefits designed to support scholars throughout their academic journey and prepare them for future careers.

Key Components:

Mentorship: Scholars are paired with a mentor who works in health care or is currently performing their own relevant scientific research.
Leadership Development: Participation in a leadership development program to enhance leadership skills and professional growth.
Financial Stipend: Awarded a financial stipend to help cover education-related expenses, such as tuition, fees, and other school-related costs.
Research Opportunities: Opportunities to engage in biomedical research and present their findings at conferences and symposia.
Networking: Access to professional development and networking meetings to connect with leaders and peers in the field.

All scholars are awarded a $7,000 stipend to cover costs for tuition, fees and other expenses related to school. Throughout the academic year, they will participate in mentorship with leading researchers, leadership development, the AHA’s annual Scientific Sessions, and they will present their research at the Spring Symposium, which takes place in April.

Impact and Success Stories

Since its inception, the AHA HBCU Scholars Program has made a significant impact on the lives of numerous students and the broader healthcare community. For example, Tougaloo College is proud to announce that two of its scholars, Ms. Jada Hall and Ms. Reina Hartfield, have been selected for the prestigious American Heart Association (AHA) HBCU Scholars Program.

Success Stories:

Jada Hall: A junior chemistry major from Tougaloo College, Jada is a President's List Scholar and recipient of the Tougaloo College Presidential Academic Scholarship. She also serves as a Jackson Heart Study Scholar Cohort Leader, Editor of Torch for the National Pre-Alumni Council, and Public Relations Chair for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Reina Hartfield: A senior biology major from Tougaloo College, Reina is an ambassador for the Jackson Free Clinic and a participant in the Jackson Heart Study. She is deeply committed to health equity, inspired by her family's battles with cardiovascular disease.
Chavonte Boyd: A Junior Public Health major at Jackson State University and is a President's List Scholar, Dean's List Scholar, earned an Exceptional Student Leader award, serves on the Student Government Association (SGA) Secretary of Student Affairs, is a Community Service Chair for the Public Health Student Association, and a Student Peer Tutor.
Skye Johnson: A Senior public health major at Jackson State University, has been a Presidential Scholar since 2022, a member of the W.E.B. Du Bois-Harvey Honors College, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She serves as Vice President of the Public Health Student Association, Junior Representative for the W.E.B. Du Bois-Harvey Honors College, and Community Assistant for the Jackson State University Housing Department.

These scholars exemplify the dedication and potential of students who participate in the AHA HBCU Scholars Program. Their achievements highlight the program's effectiveness in fostering academic excellence and leadership skills.

Addressing Systemic Barriers

The AHA HBCU Scholars Program not only supports individual students but also addresses systemic barriers that hinder the progress of Black professionals in healthcare. Many HBCU faculty teach predominantly first-generation and/or economically and academically underserved students, and HBCU faculty members have been underrepresented in scholarly societies.

Systemic Barriers:

Financial Constraints: Limited access to funding for research, professional development, and conference participation.
Heavy Teaching Loads: Inordinately heavy teaching loads that leave little time for research and professional development.
Lack of Institutional Support: Insufficient institutional support for research, including course releases and sabbaticals.
Limited Access to Resources: Restricted access to fellowships, research opportunities, and research libraries.
Perceptions of Exclusion: Feelings of exclusion from mainstream academic and professional networks.

The American Heart Association's Commitment

The American Heart Association is dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, they fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century.

“The opportunity to live a long, healthy life is a fundamental human right,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. “The COVID-19 pandemic has brought inequity to the forefront of public health."

Quest Diagnostics' Support

To address critical lack of diversity in the health care workforce in the United States, Quest Diagnostics has committed to supporting the AHA in its ongoing pursuit to build a pipeline of health care professionals representing the Black and Hispanic communities.

“Addressing health inequity in today’s unprecedented environment, will require novel and disruptive approaches and solutions,” said Steve Rusckowski, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Quest Diagnostics.

The Role of Scholarly Societies

Scholarly societies like the American Historical Association (AHA) and the American Philosophical Association (APA) also play a crucial role in supporting HBCU faculty and promoting diversity in academia. These organizations have undertaken initiatives to better understand the needs of HBCU faculty and make professional development opportunities more accessible.

Key Initiatives:

Surveys and Research: Conducting surveys to gather insights into the challenges and needs of HBCU faculty.
Steering Committees and Focus Groups: Convening committees and focus groups to investigate the causes and implications of lower participation rates in scholarly conferences and societies.
Annual Meeting Participation: Hosting HBCU faculty members at annual meetings to provide networking and professional development opportunities.
Resource Development: Creating resources and programs tailored to the needs of HBCU faculty and students.

Future Directions

The AHA and APA plan to conduct a follow-up survey on what interventions would lead HBCU faculty to engage more substantively with either organization, specifically to become members and attend the societies’ meetings. Helping departments and programs promote the philosophy and history majors will also remain a central goal, though more outreach is needed on existing resources. It would be useful for disciplinary societies to support efforts at recruiting students to take history and philosophy courses, and to offer professional development for faculty on specific pedagogical strategies to improve learning for students who are unprepared for college-level academic work when they matriculate.

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