Welcome to Creighton University's Pipeline to Success Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) where it is our mission to provide students from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds the skills needed to successfully compete for, enter and ultimately, graduate from health professional schools. |
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Creighton University Pipeline to Success Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) 2021-2022 Health Careers Ambassador Program |
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HCOP’s COVID-19 Response The HCOP team has been closely monitoring the latest coronavirus (COVID-19) updates as well as real-time Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local, state and federal recommendations. We understand the ability to adapt to our world’s current situation may be difficult for most individuals. The staff of HCOP want you to know that you can count on us to be there for you and your families. To minimize the risk of exposure in our community, all in-person HCOP sessions have been CANCELLED since March 2020. Does this mean that HCOP ends…the answer is NO. Our programming activities continue. |
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Championing Diversity in the Healthcare Field Diversity, inclusion, equality, equity, implicit bias, microaggressions, and stereotypes were all concepts and terms covered in the Championing Diversity in the Healthcare Field virtual workshop led by Gwynette Williams – Leadership and Professional Development Guru, on Saturday, March 5, 2022. Thirty (30) undergraduate and health professional 2021 – 2022 Health Careers Ambassador Program students participated in the discussion where each was able to define diversity, equity, and inclusion and compare the differences between these concepts; identify implicit biases and increase equity in the health professions field; define implicit bias and microaggressions and give examples of these concepts in action; integrate specific strategies to support diversity, inclusion, and equity. Also, as a part of the workshop, students were introduced to the importance of having diversity, equity, and inclusion as organizational values within the healthcare management field and how these core values are crucial when providing healthcare to diverse communities. |
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From HCOPer to Practicing Dentist - A Day In The Life Of A Health Professional The students spoke and the HCOP team listened!!! “I enjoyed having past HCOPers come and present, please have more of these!” – a comment from a recent post-HCOP session student survey. On Saturday, March 19, 2022, approximately thirty (30) HCOP undergraduate and health professional students were joined by former HCOPer, Dr. Matthew Adams, DDS – 2019-2020 Health Careers Ambassador Program HCOP alumni to share with students his journey of becoming a dentist – especially in the midst of a pandemic. |
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Let’s Chat!! – HCOP Health Professional Student Mentor Roundtable Since the inception of the Creighton University Pipeline to Success Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP), the HCOP team implemented its very own HCOP Mentoring Program where health professional student participants mentor high school and undergraduate student participants - group mentoring style. As health professional students, each student has achieved great things to get to where they are along their academic/professional journey. On Saturday, March 19, 2022 our HCOP mentors (ten health professional students of varying disciplines – medical, dental, pharmacy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy) were given the opportunity to participate in HCOP’s Health Professional Student Mentor Roundtable – a collaborative discussion on the topic of “mentoring”. |
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“What has the HCOP Team Been Up to Lately?!?!?!? Take A Wild Guess…Visiting Creighton Preparatory High School (located in Omaha, Nebraska) in-person to host an HCOP Informational Session with staff and students where we discussed the program and its benefits; the application process; lead some pretty cool icebreakers; and handed out tons of cool prizes to the students!!! A HUGE thanks to Mr. Allen Burrell (Director of Student Advocacy and Outreach at Creighton Preparatory High School), Dr. Donna Stewart (HCOP Partnership Advisory Board Member), and of course, the Creighton Preparatory High School student body for welcoming us to your school!! Click below to see more photos from the session. |
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Taking Action - A Panel on Opioid Abuse and Mental/Behavioral Health In the last three years, we have become all too familiar with the term pandemic. However, even before the COVID-19 pandemic changed so many lives, communities have been deeply impacted by an epidemic of opioid abuse and misuse. This issue is closely linked with a distinct need for resources and awareness about mental/behavioral health. On March 5th, 2022, during HCOP session 12, fifty-two (52) HCOP participants of all levels were able to learn and discuss with a panel of experts from the Omaha community during our 2021-2022 Virtual Opioid Abuse and Mental/Behavioral Health Panel. |
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Financial Literacy Basics with HCOP In the fall of 2021, during HCOP session 2, HCOP participants were educated about financial aid (i.e. securing the funds to make college possible). Beyond securing funding for school expenses, however, there is the task of managing money before, during, and after college. During HCOP session 13 on March 19th, 2022, participants were able to learn some basics of financial literacy. Covered under this umbrella of financial literacy were the topics of: ● Budgeting and knowing where your money goes ● Various apps and best practices for keeping track of funds ● What is a credit score and how do I check mine? ● Building credit and understanding credit cards ● Tips to avoid identity theft |
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Practice Makes Progress - Mock ACT/SAT #2 As HCOP high schoolers begin to look ahead to the end of their school year - whether it be the end of 11th grade or the long-awaited graduation - an important next step looms on the horizon: college. Especially for HCOP participants in their Junior year, now is the time of year when the ACT and SAT may loom large. All 11th grade students in Omaha Public Schools are set to take the ACT on April 5th, and many other districts around the country are also holding their official ACT and SAT dates. In order to prepare for one of these important exams, HCOP provides the students access to Kaplan Self-Paced Prep resources for both exams. These include question banks, videos, and mock exams. HCOP also provides students the opportunity to take a virtually proctored mock ACT or SAT on two separate dates. |
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Virtual Clinical Experiences with BodyInteract™ Since 2019, HCOP programming has been virtual. One challenge that comes with a virtual program is providing students with valuable clinical experiences. Since 2020 HCOP has partnered with BodyInteract™ Virtual Patient Simulator, a web-based program that allows students to simulate the role of a healthcare provider. HCOP high school and undergraduate students were able to take part in virtual clinical experiences on March 5th and 19th, respectively. During these sessions, Dr. John Stone, MD, PhD instructed the students through the case and provide first-hand knowledge, with answers to clinical questions. The case for the month of March 2022 involved a virtual patient who collapsed at home and was brought to the ER unconscious. |
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HCOP Scholly® Referral Incentive Program Refer a friend and earn a 12-month subscription to Scholly®! Here at HCOP, we firmly believe that sharing is caring. Refer one (1) friend who turns in a completed HCOP application packet, and we’ll register you for a free 12-month subscription to Scholly® ! |
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Pipeline to Success HCOP Student Spotlight |
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Leah Bortnick Creighton University – School of Pharmacy and Health Professions – Omaha, Nebraska Second Year Physical Therapy Student – PT2 Health Professional Health Careers Ambassador Program Participant Question 1: What health professional career are you pursuing and why? Answer: “Physical therapy." Question 2: What is your biggest accomplishment? Answer: "Mentoring emergency management volunteers, now privileged to become a mentor within my field.” Question 3: What do you enjoy during your free time? Name one interesting thing about you. Answer: "Dancing, reading books, and playing fetch with my kitten, Nacha.” |
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Rabab Benjdiya Excel Academy Charter High School – East Boston, Massachusetts Junior High School Health Careers Ambassador Program Participant Question 1: What health professional career are you pursuing and why? Answer: “The health professional career I plan on pursuing is a Physicians’ Assistant. I love the idea of being exposed to so many medical fields and having the opportunity to create relationships with my patients and really get to know them while I treat them." Question 2: What is your biggest accomplishment? Answer: “My biggest accomplishment was becoming an older sister, I have the best sister I could have asked for, and I'm so excited about how much she is growing.” Question 3: What do you enjoy during your free time? Name one interesting thing about you. Answer: “I love to bake during my free time. My favorite thing to make is apple pie.” | | |
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The HCOP Team Members Sade Kosoko-Lasaki, MD HCOP Program Director 402-280-2124 Aminatu Issaka, MFS HCOP Program Supervisor 402-280-4112 Christina Jelinek, BS HCOP Academic Success Counselor 402-280-2312 Olu Ekundayo, MD, MBA, DrPH Evaluation Specialist |
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@CreightonUniversityHCOP Be sure to tag us using the HCOP Official Hashtag: #TeamHCOP |
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Currently accepting applications for the 2022 Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) – Structured Summer Program. CLICK HERE TO APPLY > |
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