DEAN’S PAGE John P. Zubialde, MD Executive Dean and Professor, Family and Preventive Medicine University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
O
ne of the biggest challenges to reducing healthcare disparities among Oklahomans is the fact that many do not have ready access to medical care. In 76 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties, there is a shortage of primary care physicians. Many people simply do not have the opportunity to establish a relationship with a provider for the ongoing care of their health. The OU College of Medicine has launched a major initiative to improve those statistics, with a particular focus on educating more students from tribal, rural and underserved areas to become primary care physicians. Through a $4.7 million grant from the U.S. Health and Human Services, and a $2.8 million oneyear supplement, the college has launched the TRUOK initiative on both the Oklahoma City and Tulsa campuses. In addition to recruiting, mentoring and admitting students from tribal, rural and underserved (TRU) areas, we plan to enhance our current medical students’ understanding of these populations and the importance of primary care access. Data shows that students from under-represented areas who attend medical school and residency in Oklahoma are more likely to return to their communities to practice medicine. Health outcomes also tend to improve with a more diverse workforce. A person’s ZIP code should not determine their health status, and we are hopeful this initiative can begin to change some of Oklahoma’s poor outcomes. A major focus of TRU-OK is to grow our outreach programs across Oklahoma in middle schools and
high schools. Introducing young people to the health professions, building affinity with them over time, and helping them clear hurdles will be key to the success of TRU-OK. We are launching a Medical School Readiness Program, a six-month opportunity for 100 students to be mentored as they prepare for medical school, including preparation for the MCAT, mock interviews and shadowing. This program is geared toward highly motivated students who traditionally have lacked the resources, because of time or money, to prepare for medical school. At the OU-TU School of Community Medicine, our branch campus in Tulsa, faculty have developed innovative courses to give students a more in-depth understanding of the social determinants of health and their link to health disparities. Students also take part in culinary medicine activities so they can educate their patients about healthy food options for specific diseases. They also learn medical informatics and methods of harnessing data to improve the health of specific patient populations. With the new grant supplement, we are excited to purchase an RV and customize it as a Mobile Outreach Vehicle – medical education on wheels. We plan to take this mobile classroom across the state, especially to schools with fewer resources, where young people can engage in hands-on learning. Health professions students from all seven colleges at the OU Health Sciences Center, as well as the School of Social Work on the Norman campus, will introduce their chosen disciplines to middle school and high school youth, perhaps
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2020 September/October | The Bulletin 9
