Dr. O'Hara Awarded Clarian Health Partners, Inc. Grant
Brenda O'Hara, M.D., has been awarded a grant from Clarian Health Partners, Inc. for her proposed application titled, "Family Medicine Scholars Consortium - Clarian Preceptorship Program." Through this proposal this program intends to increase the numbers of culturally competent primary care providers in underserved areas of Indiana by implementing objectives and activities that relate to the goals of: 1) impacting workforce diversity; 2) increasing numbers of primary care physicians, especially disadvantaged and /or underrepresented minorities, assuming leadership roles to promote health and wellness in Indiana's medically underserved communities; 3) improving quality of and access to health care for medically underserved populations; 4) instilling understanding of and responsibility toward equity and justice in health care delivery; and 5) developing/implementing service learning projects to increase the cultural competency level of Indiana's future physicians.

The Family Medicine Scholars Consortium (FMSC) represents a powerful preclinical primary care educational opportunity for Indiana University School of Medicine students. It also represents a critical component for recruitment and retention of culturally competent health providers geared toward providing primary care in Indiana's neediest and most vulnerable populations. The FMSC is committed to exposing medical students early in their career to the rewards and challenges of practicing primary care, with an emphasis on Family Medicine, in underserved communities.

Compelling evidence indicates that early and frequent exposure to primary care and underserved populations is essential in the development of future culturally competent primary care provider and their choice to practice in underserved areas. Research indicates over 70 percent of FMSC Scholars match to a primary care residency program and data will be obtained and analyzed to determine where Scholars set up practice upon completion of residency.

The grant is approved from February 1, 2002 through January 31, 2004. The funding total amount is $73, 279. For more information, please email us.

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