NEAR Health Careers

Little Rock, AR, 2004

An exiting new program is underway which will address the issues of the shortage of health care professionals in rural areas in the Arkansas Delta and the limited access rural residents have to health care. KASU-FM, the UAMS College of Public Health and the Arkansas Southern Rural Access Program (ASRAP) joined forces in a health care initiative called NEAR Health Careers.

The project's goals were to increase the knowledge base of rural high school students concerning careers in health care in rural areas, to alert them to the great need for health care professionals in these areas, and to expose them to information about and practical experience in the various health care professions in hopes of peaking student interest in pursuing health care training and education.

KASU-FM aired a series of five 30-minute educational programs on various health care related careers. ASRAP staff connected with health and science teachers in the high schools within the targeted region to inform them about the project and encourage them to incorporate the radio segments into their curriculum. Teachers received packets of information about the statewide educational programs available as well as a list of individuals willing to make classroom presentations about various health care professions.

ASRAP staff developed a website offering teachers an option to download the programs for classroom use. The site also links to health care training programs at colleges, universities and other facilities.