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8.   SAMA CITES SUCCESS OF HEALTH CAREERS SEMINARS

     In the last two years nearly 80 students have received
orientation and on-the-job training in health careers in the
"Summer in Medical Sciences" seminars developed by the Univer-
sity Chapter of the Student American Medical Association (SAMA)
which recently hosted a conference designed to orient disadvan-
taged students into health careers, and climaxing two years'
work by the medical students.

     The University of Louisville, University of Cincinnati,
and the Neighborhood Youth Corps Program at Eastern State
Hospital, each with a similar program, were represented. The
conference brought together students who had participated in
the past along with their student advisors. The program is
aimed specifically at students from financially-deprived homes
and racial minority backgrounds. The first year of the pro-
gram was conducted solely by the UK SAMA members under the
directorship of Tom James, then a second year student in the
College of Medicine. Sponsored by the Albert B. Chandler Medi-
cal Center, students in the colleges of medicine, dentistry,
and nursing visited state high schools, presenting assembly
programs aimed at creating interest in an introductory sym-
posium which was conducted at the University.

     As a result of their efforts, 23 students were brought to
the Medical Center last summer for eight weeks'training with
pay. They were given responsible jobs and attended daily dis-
cussion groups. Each student had a volunteer student advisor
who supervised the work and acted as a "Big Brother." The
summer program was followed by monthly discussions and personal
counseling throughout the year. Because of the success of last
year's program, additional sponsorship was received from the
Association of American Medical Colleges, the Office of Economic
Security, and the Ohio Valley Regional Medical Program. The
program has grown to include the Universities of Louisville and
Cincinnati. James, now a third year medical student, is the co-
ordinator for all three programs. He is assisted by John Joseph,
also a medical student. This year, 55 students were enrolled.
Orientation areas now include psychiatry, physical therapy,
occupational therapy, and pharmacology, as well as medicine, den-
tistry, and nursing. Twenty-nine students are at UK, including
nine returning from last year. They assist in the labs, clinics,
and wards, and some assist in research. Discussion sessions
allow the program student a greater exposure to the health pro-
fessions than he would be afforded from a lab job alone. Dis-
cussions also are held on the financial and educational require-
ments for careers in health professions.