Project REACH

The development of the Certificate in Health Equity Program in the School of Health Professions is one of the objectives of Project REACH, a project generously funded by the 2022 Genentech Health Equity and Diversity in STEM Innovation Fund. The Certificate in Health Equity Program will be the first interdisciplinary program offering an in-demand credential to students in the School of Health Professions. 

Program Goals

The program goals are to create a framework for improving health equity through faculty training and development, faculty-to-student mentorship, community partnerships and scholarships aimed at improving health outcomes for underserved and marginalized populations, and sustainable training practices for students in health professions programs. The program objectives are to:

• Educate faculty and students on the root causes of health inequity
• Use mentorship and multi-cultural practices in applied research and healthcare delivery
• Center the voices and needs of underserved and marginalized populations through scholarship, action-oriented research, and service.

Students who have completed the program will be able to describe various frameworks and theories related to disparate patient outcomes and health equity, identify ways in which community partnerships and scholarship can influence patient outcomes, articulate the needs of a marginalized and/or underserved community as they relate to healthcare provision and healthcare structures and present their findings to the scientific community and fellow healthcare providers.

Students

First-year students currently enrolled in the Physician Assistant Program, the Genetic Counseling Program, the Orthotics and Prosthetics Program, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice-Nurse Anesthesia Program will be eligible to apply in the Spring of 2024.  If you are a current student who is interested in learning more about this program, please email projectreach.shp@bcm.edu.

Faculty, Staff, and Community Partners

Project REACH is looking for faculty, staff, and community partners who are interested in our work to bring health equity training and research to healthcare professionals.  If you are interested in learning more about this program, please email projectreach.shp@bcm.edu.

Speaker Series

Ahead of the launch, we will be offering a series of speakers in late 2023 and early 2024.  These sessions will feature the work of faculty and staff at Baylor College of Medicine in community-based health equity research and education.  Refreshments will be provided for in-person attendees. To register, please complete this registration form.