
	Western Washington Area Health Education Center
WWAHEC 2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310 Seattle, WA 98121 Ph: 206.441.7137 Fax: 206.441.7158 Home News & Events Health Professionals/ Student Placement Health Career Information Health Career Ambassadors Health Career Job Descriptions HOPE Preceptor & Site Resources Scholarship Info Distance Learning Volunteer/Retired Providers Program Continuing Education K-12 Learning Resources aka Science Allied Health Health Career Information HOPE Health Career Ambassadors Health CareerJob Descriptions Scholarship Info Distance Learning Statewide Office of Rural Health Health Workforce Development Community Health Assessment, Planning & Development Primary Care Provider Recruitment Staff Links Shop Site Map WWAHEC 2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310 Seattle, WA 98121 Ph: 206.441.7137 Fax: 206.441.7158 Home News & Events Health Professionals/ Student Placement Health Career Information Health Career Job Descriptions HOPE Preceptor & Site Resources Distance Learning Volunteer Retired Providers Program Continuing Education K-12 Learning Resources aka Science Allied Health Health Career Information HOPE Health Career Ambassadors Health CareerJob Descriptions Scholarship Info Distance Learning Statewide Office of Rural Health Health Workforce Development Community Health Assessment, Planning & Development Primary Care Provider Recruitment Staff Links Shop Site Map	Health Professionals / Student Placements

			Health Occupations Preparatory Experience
	Go to 2007 student application
	Background
	In May, 2001, the Washington State Board of Health published a report on Health Disparities detailing the greatest growth projected from racial and ethnic populations who experience a disproportionate burden of disease and premature death. Studies show the health status of racial and ethnic minorities can be improved by creating a workforce that mirrors the diversity of the population it serves.
	The State Board of Health identified the elimination of health disparities as one of its priorities. The Board believes it is possible to improve our state's health care system by increasing the diversity of its workforce.
	Project Description
	In response to the State Board of Health, the Department of Health established a pilot program to provide racial and ethnic minority students the opportunity to learn and be exposed to health careers. Project HOPE (Health Occupations Preparatory Experience) provided high school students with six-week paid internships at local health facilities. To gain experience in a broad variety of health professions, interns rotated in several settings under the supervision of staff from hospitals, medical and dental clinics, and long-term care facilities. These interns gained valuable insight in a professional work environment as well as an introduction to a multitude of allied health and professional health care careers.
	Coordination
	Project HOPE is coordinated by the Office of Community and Rural Health (OCRH) and is administered regionally by the state's two Area Health Education Centers (AHECs), who have ongoing relationships with educational facilities to further develop health occupational careers. In 2001 eighteen students from across the state participated in Project HOPE; there were over 130 completed applications submitted for the 2004 summer program from Western Washington alone. Facilities in Western Washington offering internship opportunities have included:
	Auburn Regional Medical Center - Auburn
	Forks Community Hospital - Forks
	Grays Harbor Community Hospital - Aberdeen
	Kaiser Permanente - Vancouver Clinics
	Mason General Hospital - Shelton
	Morton General Hospital - Morton
	MultiCare Medical Center - Tacoma
	Ocean Beach Hospital - Ilwaco
	Overlake Hospital Medical Center - Bellevue
	Pacific County Health Department - South Bend
	Providence Hospital - Centralia
	Providence Hospital - Everett
	Pope's Kids Place - Centralia
	Puget Sound Veterans' Administration Hospital - Seattle
	SeaMar Community Health Center - Everson
	SeaMar Community Health Center - Olympia
	SeaMar Community Health Center - Seattle
	Shoalwater Bay Tribal Clinic - Tokeland
	Stevens Hospital - Edmonds
	St. Francis Hospital - Federal Way
	St. Francis Hospital - Tacoma
	St. Pete's Family Residency Program - Olympia
	University of Washington Medical Center - Seattle
	Valley Medical Center - Renton
	Walmart Pharmacy - Renton
	Walmart Pharmacy - Aberdeen
	Willapa Valley Hospital - South Bend

	2006 Application & Flyer
	Application packets are due to Western Washington AHEC on March 9, 2007. Please make sure that all pages are filled out, and that both the student and the parent/guardian have signed the application. Transcripts and personal references may be sent under separate cover; the student's essay and advisor form should accompany the application.
		Project HOPE 2007 application You will need Adobe Acrobat to download this document.
		Project HOPE 2007 flyer You will need Adobe Acrobat to download this document.
	Preceptor and Site Resources
	More information for prospective mentors and teaching sites, including links to articles of interest.
	Summer 2006
	Staff from the OCRH and the AHECs are working hard to broaden the scope of Project HOPE for next summer by offering additional internship opportunities as well as utilizing more facilities. If you are interested in participating, contact:
	Christine Lindquist Western Washington Area Health Education Center 2033 Sixth Avenue, Suite 310 Seattle, WA 98121 206.441.7137 Fax:206.441.7158 or Bettie Rundlett Eastern Washington Area Health Education Center 310 N Riverpoint Boulevard, Suite 215, Box A Spokane, WA 99202-1675 509.358-7640 Fax: 509.358.7647


WWAHEC 2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310 Seattle, WA 98121 Ph: 206.441.7137 Fax: 206.441.7158

	E-mail WWAHEC with a question
	or
	Submit feedback about this website
	Page updated 2/07/2007