JACKSON, Dec. 13, 2024 – According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, only 8% of medical students and 5% of physicians are Black and African American. To address this disparity, the American Heart Association, the leading public health nonprofit organization dedicated to building a world of longer, healthier lives for all, has announced that four local students have been selected to participate in its Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Scholars program.
Mississippi awardees are:
Chavonte Boyd - Junior Public Health major at Jackson State University and a native of Flint, MI. Chavonte is a President's List Scholar, Dean's List Scholar, earned an Exceptional Student Leader award, serves on the Student Government Association (SGA) Secretary of Student Affairs, is a Community Service Chair for the Public Health Student Association, and a Student Peer Tutor. He plans to merge his education with public health advocacy to drive meaningful change, particularly in addressing health disparities and advancing health equity.
Mentor: Clifton Addison, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Senior Research Scientist, Jackson Heart Study Graduate Training and Education Center, Jackson State University School of Public Health
Skye Johnson - Senior public health major at Jackson State University, and a native of Albany, GA. Skye has been a Presidential Scholar since 2022, a member of the W.E.B. Du Bois-Harvey Honors College, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She serves as Vice President of the Public Health Student Association, Junior Representative for the W.E.B. Du Bois-Harvey Honors College, and Community Assistant for the Jackson State University Housing Department. Skye aims to become an Epidemiologist who uses data and statistics to educate and develop policies that support public health preparedness.
Mentor: Marinelle Payton, M.D., Ph.D., M.S., M.P.H., Chair and Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Director, Center of Excellence in Minority Health and Disparities, Director, Jackson Heart Study Graduate Training and Education Center, Jackson State University School of Public Health
Jada Hall - Junior chemistry major Tougaloo College and a native of Gulfport, Mississippi. Jada is a President’s List Scholar, Mississippi Eminent Scholar, and Tougaloo College Presidential Academic Scholarship recipient. She’s a Jackson Heart Study Scholar Cohort Leader, National Pre-Alumni Council Editor of Torch, and the Public Relations Chair for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. With a deep understanding of health disparities faced by individuals in marginalized communities, Jada hopes to make a meaningful contribution as a pharmacist.
Mentor: Lorena Amaral, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center
Reina Hartfield - Senior biology major Tougaloo College and a native of Wiggins, MS, she serves as an ambassador for the Jackson Free Clinic and was involved with the Jackson Heart Study. She is a member of the NAACP College Council and the Society of Black Pathologists and played competitive basketball for several years. Reina is pursuing a career in research inspired by her personal experiences with family members who have suffered from cardiovascular disease.
Mentor: Junie Paula Warrington, Ph.D., FAHA, FANA, Associate Professor, Department of Neurology and Associate Director, Program in Neuroscience, Translational Research Center, University of Mississippi Medical Center
The Association’s HBCU Scholars are enrolled in biomedical or other health sciences programs at their respective institutions. Through their participation in the Scholars program, they will study how the social determinants of health and other health disparities impact underserved communities. They will also participate in scientific research projects and present their findings at the end of the program.
“Since 2015, the American Heart Association HBCU Scholars program has helped change the trajectory of dozens of under-represented students in science and medicine by fostering their talent, preparedness and growth to pursue careers in biomedical science” said American Heart Association former volunteer president Michelle A. Albert, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA, who is the Walter A. Haas-Lucie Stern endowed chair in Cardiology, professor of medicine and admissions dean at University of California-San Francisco School of Medicine. “As champions for health care quality and access for all, the American Heart Association is committed to building the pipeline of diverse persons in medicine and empowering the next generation of research and health care professionals.”
The program is funded nationally by a grant provided by the Quest Diagnostics Foundation, which also supports the American Heart Association’s Hispanic Serving Institutes (HSI) Scholars Program.
Students are selected based on their GPA, completion of a formal application which includes an essay, and an official recommendation from their school. During the program, scholars are paired with a mentor who works in health care or is currently performing their own relevant scientific research. They will also participate in a leadership development program and are awarded a financial stipend to help cover education-related expenses. More about the American Heart Association’s HBCU Scholars initiative can be found here.
Clinical research studies published in the American Journal of Public Health suggest that patients of color may experience uncomfortable interactions and communication barriers with their health care providers due to lack of diversity and face implicit and unconscious bias from physicians and other health care professionals. These barriers, in turn, can lower patients’ trust in the overall health care system and as a result, these patients may not complete prescribed treatments or follow-up on recommended care. Addressing this issue is a vital component of the HBCU Scholars program.
Each year, the Association seeks applications from sophomores, juniors and seniors from historically underrepresented communities who are currently enrolled in an HBCU and are interested in pursuing a professional degree in biomedical and health sciences.
###
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Mary Brinson; mary.brinson@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org