up next Paul Davis
Paul Davis
Urban Health Opportunities Program (UHOP)
How a UNO Biology Professor is Creating Diversity in Omaha鈥檚 Physician Population
By Jackie Ostrowicki
February 2021
Medicine is a field that serves an extremely broad population, making diversity in health care critical. Health disparities affect segments of the population differently, and attitudes toward health care and treatment vary among different groups.
Diversity allows physicians to better understand patients within a larger context鈥攕uch as their upbringing or socioeconomic realities. When a patient can鈥檛 find providers that resemble them, their culture, or other facets of their life, it can delay or prevent them from seeking timely care.
Physician Diversity Requires Med School Diversity
Although the medical profession has made great strides in welcoming a broader spectrum of doctors, there is work to be done. Racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately .鈥疧ver 56 percent of active physicians are white. About 17 percent are Asian. Less than six percent are Hispanic, and five percent are black.
This extends to students . Not only are students from lower socioeconomic groups underrepresented; they are more likely to leave medical school within the first two years. To create a more diverse physician population, it鈥檚 important to create a more diverse and better-prepared medical student population.
![When providers in underserved areas understand their patients, it makes patients feel connected. Patients who trust their doctor seek healthcare when they need it鈥攚hich lowers costs for them and for the larger community.](/-/media/projects/unca/images/nuforne/healthcare/2021/uno-inset.jpg)
This is where UNO鈥檚 steps in. Davis, a professor with a Ph.D. in molecular biology and expertise in infectious disease, is passionate about working with undergraduate students. He moved to Omaha in 2010 to work at UNO, where he could not only teach and continue his research鈥攂ut also foster a close connection to UNMC and its resources. He runs one of the largest undergraduate labs at UNO, with 20 students working in his lab.
Supporting First-Generation Students
Davis鈥檚 skills and interests put him in the perfect position to help UNO students become better prepared for health careers. at UNO are first-generation students; their parents did not attend college. This means they need unique mentorship and support to prepare them for medical school, and Davis was determined to create a program to help them. He now serves as director of the Urban Health Opportunities Program (UHOP), a pipeline program he helped create that puts UNO undergrads from underrepresented groups on the road to medical school.
Thanks to support from the Urban Health Opportunities Program, UNO has significantly increased their acceptance rate of students getting into medical school.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a great deal of support offered to UHOP students,鈥 said Davis. 鈥淔or some, their parents haven鈥檛 gone to college鈥攊magine the complexities helping them prepare for medical school. We offer not only financial support but help in preparing them for what鈥檚 ahead.鈥 The program offers undergraduate tuition assistance, MCAT preparation, mentoring by UNMC medical students, help with medical school applications鈥攁nd guaranteed admission to UNMC's M.D. program upon successful program completion.
Giving Back to the Community
Started in 2016, has run two cohorts through a full four-year program; 83% of UHOP participants have gone on to medical school. The for medical school acceptance is 42%. 鈥淯HOP is still young,鈥 said Davis. 鈥淭he first measure of success is how many of these students are accepted into medical school. The second is graduating from their program, and the third is how many of these new physicians decide to practice in underserved areas in 六合彩论坛.鈥
Which brings the conversation full circle鈥攖o the need for diversity in the physician population. 鈥淥maha has many underserved communities, and it鈥檚 important to graduate health care providers who are from those communities,鈥 said Davis. 鈥淭hey need an undergraduate experience that helps bridge the gap鈥攏ot just to get into medical school, but to excel in grad school and in life.鈥
Discover our Podcast Series
The 鈥淟eading 六合彩论坛鈥 podcast shares the stories of the researchers, students, teachers and others across the University of 六合彩论坛's four campuses who are making an impact. From teachers and doctors to engineers and ag experts, these 六合彩论坛 leaders are touching lives and making a difference.
Sorry, no stories match your filters.
Please adjust your filters above to view more stories.
Find Your 六合彩论坛 State Senator
Get started by entering your address below. Next, you'll receive information on who your senator is鈥攁nd how to reach him or her.
Making a call only takes a few minutes and sends a strong message to your state senator. Your senator may not be able to take the call, but you can speak to the legislative aide who works for the senator. They will log your call, take a message and pass it on. Keep your conversation brief, and be sure to cover these essential points:
- Introduce yourself as a constituent in their district and provide your name.
- Be clear that you're calling about your support for the University of 六合彩论坛 System.
- Share your story about how the University has impacted you or your family. A personal story is hard to ignore. Explain why it's important to you that your senator invests in the University of 六合彩论坛. Again, keep it brief and to-the-point.
- Ask for your opinion to be noted. Politely finish the call by thanking the senator or legislative aide for their time.
Send an Email
Sending a written message to your state senator is an easy way to engage your representative. They're more concise and easier to respond to, and they're more likely to be viewed by the senator. If you can, send a personalized message with these essential points. Keep your message brief (a paragraph or so).
- Write a personal, attention-getting subject line that lets the senator know your topic鈥 "Investing in the University of 六合彩论坛 System" or "Supporting the University of 六合彩论坛 System"
- Introduce yourself as a constituent in their district; provide your name.
- Be clear that you're writing about your support for the University of 六合彩论坛 System
- Share your personal story about how the University has impacted you or your family. Explain why it's important to you that your senator invests in the University of 六合彩论坛. Again, keep it brief and to-the-point.
- Ask if your senator will support the University moving forward.
- Indicate that you'd appreciate a reply and thank your senator for their time.
You Just Made a Difference
Keep making a difference by becoming an NU Advocate. As an Advocate, you'll receive communications about important issues and legislative bills concerning the University of 六合彩论坛鈥攁nd you'll be the first to hear about upcoming advocacy events. And, we'll let you know when you need to raise your voice again.
COOKIE USAGE:
The University of 六合彩论坛 System uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By clicking "I Agree" and/or continuing to use this website without adjusting your browser settings, you accept the use of cookies.