The continuing problems with the health status of Americans, particularly among those living at or below the poverty, disproportionately affect minority populations. This situation is exacerbated by the dearth of minority students in doctoral-level and post-doctoral level training programs, and the gross underrepresentation of black, Hispanic and Native American faculty in the nation's schools of public health. The absence of a "pipeline" is a frequently noted explanation for low representation of minorities in doctoral programs and on school faculties. Equally important is the lack of mentorship opportunities during the critical post-doctoral years when potential minority faculty members are attempting to establish themselves in specific areas of research. In 1991, the Harvard School of Public Health, with support from a few foundations and individuals, began to offer a Minority Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. The program was designed as a bridge between academic training in health-related disciplines and entry-level faculty positions in public health. Since its establishment, 13 health professionals have participated in the Fellowship, of whom 8 (62%) and 5(38%) were men and women, respectively and 8 (62%) and 5 (38%) were African-American and Hispanic. Fellows worked with a wide variety of mentors in different Departments of the School, including Environmental Health, Biostatistics, Tropical Public Health, Nutrition, and Health Policy and Management. In this presentation we will review the experience of this program with specific attention to lessons that may be useful for such efforts in the future.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1. Describe the shortage of minority faculty at Schools of Public Health. 2. Describe the development and support of a minority post-doctoral fellowship program. 3. Learn the major obstacles to recruitment and retention of minority faculty members in Schools of Public Health
Keywords: Minorities, Career Development
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Minority Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Harvard School of Public Health
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.