By Kenneth Mullinax,
A partnership has been created between Baptist Health and Alabama State University with a goal to offer exposure and opportunities for an inaugural class of student-scholars at the University who are studying or have an interest in pre-medicine courses. The goal of the program is to extend students’ knowledge of the medical profession and further their interest in attending medical school.
“This inaugural first-of-its-kind program just started between ASU and Baptist Health and this class will continue throughout the semester with our initial four ASU students who will be better exposed and educated about attending medical school and entering the medical profession after going through the program, which is supervised by two Baptist Health physicians – Dr. Angela Stallworth and Dr. Tasha Garrett – both of whom are ASU alumnae,” said Joyce Miller Davis, who oversees the pilot-program for ASU and is the University’s program coordinator for Biomedical Research and Training Programs.
“This program is wonderful and we certainly appreciate all that Baptist Health and our two ASU-educated physicians at Baptist are doing to make it a meaningful and successful program for our students who are part of it,” Davis added.
ASU’S STUDENTS FEEL PROGRAM OFFERS INVALUABLE INSIGHT
ASU students who are participating in the joint program are Antoinette Ross, a junior majoring in Biology/Pre-Health; Jeremy Ballard, a sophomore majoring in Biology; D’Angelia Holmes, a Biology/Pre-Health major; and Kayla Edwards, a sophomore majoring in Biology/Pre-Health.
All four students said the program has been worthwhile since the first-day.
Ross, a native of Birmingham, explained that she is excited to be in the inaugural class. “I never imagined how great it would be to be able both to learn and give back to the patients and the community. I am so happy,” Ross said.
Ballard, who hails from Miami, Florida, describes the program as life-changing. “It has opened my eyes since day-one to the many opportunities it places in front of me. I believe that I want to be a physician and by the time the program ends for me, I will be sure that I am on the right career path, thanks to the University and Baptist Health” stated Ballard.
Holmes, a Tallassee, Alabama, resident said: “I am in this program because I know that I want to graduate from medical school. (I appreciate) ASU for helping to sponsor this for its students; it is helping me in a big way by providing me and the other students experiences in what it is like to be in a medical career, allowing us to network with physicians and healthcare professionals, while understanding the satisfaction one receives in helping others,” Holmes added.
Edwards, who grew up in Brooklyn, New York, hopes being part of the program will open her eyes to what having a medical career is all about. “I am here because I want to learn all that I can about the day-to-day life and work of a physician. Alabama State has already helped fulfill so many of my dreams such as attending an HBCU, and now it is offering me the ability to shadow doctors as they work; as well as having extended amounts of time in speaking with doctors, learning from them and getting advice from them,” Edwards added.
CHAMPION OF BAPTIST HEALTH-ASU PARTNERSHIP IS AN ALUMNA
Dr. Angela Stallworth is a physician with Baptist Health and is a leader of the joint program between the University and the healthcare entity.
She is also a 1999 graduate of Alabama State University.
“The Baptist Health Pre-Med Scholars Program aims to introduce future minority healthcare providers to the healthcare system through education, exposure and outreach, and help them explore the drivers of healthcare disparities and inequalities” Stallworth said.
