CLEVELAND/EWORLDWIRE/April 7, 2009 --- To retain the best and brightest in Northeast Ohio, Cleveland Clinic Office of Diversity, in collaboration with the Office of Civic Education Initiatives and Health Legacy of Cleveland, sponsored the second annual MD Project Charles R. Drew Saturday Academy. The graduating class received certificates of completion as well as acknowledgements for their achievements in a ceremony held Tuesday, March 31, 2009, at the InterContinental Hotel and Conference Center, Cleveland.
The Saturday Academy is designed to increase the number of African American and Hispanic physicians, scientists and physician leaders. The program supports high school students in the development of critical skills necessary for a career in health care.
Students are chosen based on a list of eligibility criteria including a G.P.A of 3.5 or better, a 500-word essay and three letters of reference. All completed applications were reviewed and scored by a selection committee comprised of Cleveland Clinic and Health Legacy staff members.
The 11-week program took place each Saturday and covered such topics as healthcare disparities, medical ethics and business development as well as clinical experience and public health projects. For more information about Saturday Academy visit ClevelandClinic.org/diversity ('http://www.clevelandclinic.org/diversity">http://www.clevelandclinic.org/diversity') and click on MD Project or call the Cleveland Clinic Office of Diversity at 216-445-7323.
The program is named in honor of Charles R. Drew, M.D., a well-respected African-American physician and medical researcher. He researched blood transfusions, improved techniques for blood storage and developed large scale blood banks in early World War II. In 1943, Dr. Drew was recognized as the first African-American surgeon to serve as an examiner on the American Board of Surgery.
About Health Legacy of Cleveland
Health Legacy Cleveland is a private, non-profit foundation dedicated to increase the pool of Africa American physicians and dentists in the greater Cleveland area. The decline in African Americans who are applying to medical and dental schools is of primary concern. The mission reflects the past, present and the future of African American youth, men and women who want to pursue health professions as physicians and dentists in the Greater Cleveland community.
About Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic, located in Cleveland, Ohio, is a not-for-profit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Cleveland Clinic was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation's best hospitals in its annual America's Best Hospitals survey. Approximately 1,800 full-time salaried physicians and researchers at Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Clinic Florida represent more than 100 medical specialties and subspecialties. In 2006, there were 3.1 million outpatient visits to Cleveland Clinic. Patients came for treatment from every state and from more than 80 countries. There were more than 53,000 hospital admissions to Cleveland Clinic in 2006. Cleveland Clinic's Web site address is ClevelandClinic.org ('http://www.clevelandclinic.org').
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