PEE DEE REGIONAL COALITION
The Pee Dee Regional Coalition for Health Careers was established in 2005 by The South Carolina Area Health Education consortium(SC AHEC) with The Duke Endowment serving as the primary funding source. Health facilities, local agencies, faith-based organizations, Educators, youth-oriented organizations, businesses and industry, and the Pee Dee AHEC Office were invited to participate in the Coalition.
At the first Coalition Meeting, it was evident that the participants shared two common concerns: (1) the growing health disparities among minorities in South Carolina and (2) minorities being under-represented in the health care professions. The Coalition elected two co-chairs to guide and direct their efforts and agreed to monthly meetings. Meetings are held at McLeod Medical Center, Poynor Adult and Community Education Center, and Darlington County Institute of Technology—all partners. The mission of the Coalition is to promote diversity in health careers in South Carolina through awareness, exploration and preparation with special emphasis on middle and high school minority students. The members identified two key strategies to carry out this mission during their first year: “Public Policy” and “Job Shadowing”.
The Pee Dee Coalition has adopted a logo, established a website, and has participated in two health fairs. The Health Fairs are as follows:
-- McLeod Health Expo held on February 25th at McLeod Medical Center. The Coalition Co-sponsored the event.
-- The Florence Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Health Summit VI, “Deltas Acting Today for a Healthier Tomorrow” held on March 30-31st at Florence-Darlington Technical College.
The Pee Dee Coalition is in the process of developing a Job Shadowing Handbook; negotiating with Adams Outdoors for Billboards in four counties; seeking approval for Tray Liners to place inside trays at local McDonald’s; and developing public service announcements (PSAs) on local radio stations featuring local health care professionals encouraging students to choose a health career.
Successful outcomes of the Coalition will address the following topics:
-- Increase the number of minority healthcare professionals serving in minority and medically underserved communities.
-- Promote Awareness and Exploration of Health Careers.
-- Promote Healthy Lifestyles and Behaviors in Minority Communities.
Mission Statement
The goal of the South Carolina Coalitions for Health Careers is to increase the entry of minority students into the health professions pipeline. The Coalitions address the need for more effective collaboration between secondary education, higher education, health training programs, grassroots agencies, faith-based organizations, and business leaders to address the shortage of health professionals within the state.
Five strategies were identified as focus areas:
- Parental Involvement
- Student Motivation
- Public Policy
- Community Awareness
- Academic Performance