Meeting the Demand: The Essential Role of Current and Future Health Professionals

Experience shows that when patients receive care from health providers who speak their language or understand their cultural needs, they are more responsive and engaged. This can lead to better health outcomes, as patients feel safe and trust their health care providers.

A young man, deeply connected to his Native American heritage from a young age, spent part of his childhood on a reservation. There, he accessed medical care through the Indian Health Service and witnessed the positive impact of culturally relevant care firsthand. After completing his undergraduate degree, he became an orthopedic scribe at a clinic near a Navajo reservation and is now pursuing a medical degree.

A young woman, inspired by her mother’s journey from Haiti to America in 1992 and her dedication to caring for her grandfather with prostate cancer, decided to pursue a career in health care. Now studying to become a registered nurse, she is determined to advance her career by focusing on maternal and infant health, areas where significant health disparities persist.

Both are advancing their clinical careers with support from the United Health Foundation’s Diversity in Health Care Scholarship program. Motivated by the desire to serve patients with similar backgrounds, they are committed to supporting their communities by providing culturally responsive care.

Since the program launched in 2022, the United Health Foundation has provided scholarships to nearly 2,000 health professionals and students from diverse backgrounds. This initiative is part of its commitment to making the health care system work better for everyone. Through the Diversity in Health Care Scholarship program, the United Health Foundation aims to support 10,000 current and future clinicians by 2033.

The scholarship is available to historically underrepresented health professionals, helping them advance their clinical degrees or credentials. Scholars come from various clinical fields, including nursing, mental health, physical therapy, dentistry, pharmacy and medicine.

The United Health Foundation’s Diversity in Health Care Scholarship program offers scholarships to current and aspiring health professionals from historically underrepresented backgrounds who aim to make a difference in health care. Committed to expanding a diverse health care workforce, the United Health Foundation provides scholarships to support the professionals.

Applicants may apply for a $3,200 scholarship by visiting https://scholarshipamerica.org/unitedhealthfoundation/