Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 3, Number 1, 1 January 1986 — Hawaiians Needed in Public Health Field [ARTICLE]

Hawaiians Needed in Public Health Field

Thc Health Carecr Opjx>rtunities Program (HCOP) in the University of Hawaii's School of Public Health is seeking Hawaiians and part Hawaiians who have aspirations for a career in public health. John Casken, who holds a master of arts degree and a master's in public health, is director of the UH Special Educational Opportunities Program. "Because of the high incidence of health problems among Hawaiians, it is surprising that not one Hawaiian or part Hawaiian applied for the current school year," Casken observed. HCOP is a special postbacc£jaureate program designed to assist the academically and linguistically disadvantaged and under-represented individuals who are or have their sights set on a public health career. Casken explained the HCOP has been in existence in various ways for four years. lt was formerly run in conjunction with the Imi Ho'ola program but has been on its own the last two years. It is a federally funded program whieh accepts a maximum of 15 students. There are 12 in the current class but no Hawaiian. Many are or were married and have children. Most have full or part time jobs and a few are between 30 and 45 years. "You ean see its a tough road for many of our students what with family obligations and employment but these are dedicated individuals who look forward to a rewarding career in the public health field when they're finished," Casken noted. They stay in HCOP one year and then may apply to get in the Master's in Public Heahh Program whieh takes another one and one-half years. There are no scholarships available, Casken explained, but HCOP's counseling services will help the applicant get financial aid. Of the 12 current students, five are from the Pacific Basin. Three are from the Federated States of Micronesia (Ponape, Kosrae and Truk), one from the Marshall Islands and one from Guam. Of the remaining seven, six are from Oahu and one from Hawaii. All have bachelor's degrees. In the four-year existence of the program, there has barely been a handful of Hawaiian students seeking public health careers. Any citizen or resident status alien from an underrepresented group, who is currently a health worker or is interested in public health, for graduate study, and who would ordinarily not be able to meet the admissions requirements of the School of Public Heakh is eligible for the program. For further information and application form, phone 9488914 or 948-8916.