OCAPICA 2010 Fellowship Program

The Pacific Islander Health Careers Pipeline Program (PIHCPP) administered by OCAPICA is pleased to announce our application for the 2010 Fellowship Program. The application deadline is May 3. The PIHCPP Fellowship program is a unique opportunity for young Pacific Islanders who desire a greater understanding of the health needs in the Pacific Islander community and who would like to take proactive steps to pursuing a health career. It is an opportunity to network with peers with similar interests, meet key researchers and Pacific Islander graduate/post-graduate students, understand the major health needs within the Pacific Islander community, and discover ways to serve the Pacific Islander community by pursuing a health career.

We ask you to forward the application announcement to Pacific Islander youth and young adults who are interested in health and live in Southern California.

Rationale for the PIHCPP Fellowship program:

Pacific Islanders (PI) fare worse than the general population in most socio-economic indicators, which significantly contributes to the disparity in educational attainment between PIs and their White counterparts. The PI community also suffers disproportionately from illnesses and diseases, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. While there are tremendous health needs within the PI community, there are few health care providers (including allied health professionals) that understand the specific needs of the PI community. In addition, as current health care providers retire, there is a need to encourage more PIs to fill these positions as well as address the shortage of providers in general. The Pacific Islander Health Careers Pipeline Program (PIHCPP) was established to increase the number of Pacific Islander health care providers and health related professionals by increasing access and preparation to educational and health career opportunities for young PIs. The PIHCPP Fellowship Program is offering the first step to establishing and building these opportunities.

PIHCPP Fellowship Goals
· To provide an understanding of health disparities, specifically cancer disparities, and health needs in the PI community as it relates to history and culture
· To understand the need for PI health care professionals
· To showcase the opportunities and diversity of health-related work and its benefits
· To provide and empower PI youth and young adults with the skills, resources and support needed to pursue higher education
· To provide PI youth and young adults with an opportunity to interact and establish networks/support systems with professionals and peers

PIHCPP Fellowship Program is…
· A 6 month hands–on program, from June 2010 to December 2010
· Fellowship Program components:
o 2 day orientation
o mentorship with a health professional, community leader or community advocate
o monthly workshops and speaker series
o 3 month PAID summer research internship
· For students who complete the above program, there is an optional 6 month community service volunteer placement internship (January to June 2011) available

Eligibility criteria:
· Pacific Islander senior high school students or any Pacific Islander student in higher education (community college, undergraduate or graduate student)
· Interest in health careers (such as doctor, nurse, health educator, health researcher, medical assistant, health care administration, pharmacy technician, etc)

The 2010 PIHCPP Fellowship Program is funded by The California Endowment and supported by National Cancer Institute via American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

§ • For PIHCPP Fellowship cover page
http://www.ocapica.org/documents/PIHCPP_Fellowship_ApplicationCOVERPAGE2010.pdf
• For PIHCPP Fellowship guidelines
http://www.ocapica.org/documents/PIHCPP_FellowshipProgram_StudentGuidelines2010.pdf
• For PIHCPP Fellowship application
http://www.ocapica.org/documents/PIHCPP_Fellowship_Application_2010.pdf


For more information and/or if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact either of the following individuals at 714-636-9095 or by email:
Khushbindar Kaur Lally (klally@ocapica.org)
Ashley Cheri (acheri@ocapica.org)


Thank you!

Khushbindar Kaur Lally
Health Programs Manager
Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance, Inc (OCAPICA)
12900 Garden Grove Blvd. Suite 225
Garden Grove, CA 92843-2006
Tel: 714-636-9095 Ext. 244
Fax: 714-636-8828
klally@ocapica.org
Website: www.ocapica.org