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Asian-American Students Pursuing Careers in Health Care Win $20,000 in Scholarships From the United Health Foundation and PacifiCare Foundation

Posted on: Tuesday, 12 December 2006, 09:00 CST

CYPRESS, Calif., Dec. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Three Asian-American students pursuing health care careers were awarded $20,000 in scholarships by the United Health Foundation and PacifiCare Foundation to pursue educational opportunities leading to careers in the health care industry.

Semmie Kim of Bridgewater, N.J., won a Platinum Scholarship in the amount of $10,000. Gloria Lan of Evanston, Ill., and In Hwan (Kevin) Lee of La Crescenta, Calif., each won a Gold Scholarship in the amount of $5,000.

To qualify for a scholarship, applicants were required to be college freshmen or sophomores and have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.8 or higher. In addition, applicants had to show proof of acceptance or full-time enrollment in an accredited college, university or technical school in an approved health care program and were required to be fluent in Chinese or Korean, in addition to English.

Recent U.S. census data indicate that there are more than 13 million U.S. residents of Asian origin, comprising about 5 percent of the total population. This represents a 9 percent increase since 2000 and is the highest growth rate of any racial group. Census projections expect the number to increase to more than 33 million by 2050, or 8 percent of the total U.S. population. The growing number of Asian Americans nationwide drives greater demand for more Asian bilingual and bicultural health care professionals, according to Amber Jia, director of Asian American Markets at UnitedHealthcare.

"The Office of Minority Health cites a nationwide shortage of bilingual and bicultural health care professionals," said Jia. "Nationwide, many Asian Americans do not have access to culturally and linguistically appropriate care, and this has a far-reaching effect on their health and quality of life. Studies show that patients respond better when care instructions are delivered in their own language and their cultural background is taken into account. Through the Asian-American Scholars Program, we hope to make a positive difference in the health of our community for tomorrow, and what better way to do that than by encouraging our young people to reach their career goals and fulfill their dreams."

Kim, 18, graduated from Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School and confirmed her interest in medicine while attending the Mini-Medical School Program at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and participating in genetic research with the Waksman Student Scholars Program. In addition, she volunteered at Guro Hospital in Seoul, South Korea. She is currently majoring in Biological Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Growing up, Kim aspired to be a slew of different professions. "In my Walter Mitty-like dreams, I wanted to heal people as a world-renowned oncologist. Perhaps I could be a modern Albert Schweitzer, but I wondered if it was the perfect career for me," she said, though her wondering stopped when she had reached high school. "When I lost my close childhood friend to leukemia, I became determined to dedicate my life to medicine."

Lan, 19, graduated from National Experimental High School and volunteered at a local hospital where she decided she wanted a career in health care.

"All that I had done in high school, the incalculable hours I had put into homework and tests, and my passion for biology seemed to draw me towards what I now see as my ultimate goal: becoming a doctor," she said. Today she is majoring in Biology at Northwestern University after being accepted into the university's Honors Program in Medical Education.

Lee, 18, graduated from Clark Magnet High School and is an undeclared Engineering major at University of California, Berkeley, taking classes in Physics, Chemistry and Biology, especially Molecular and Cell Biology.

"I believe that the field of Biology -- especially molecular and cell biology -- could be a path that I can follow to dedicate my life," he said. "I believe that dedicating my life to save the lives of others would be an amazing privilege."

Asia Society Southern California partnered with United Health Foundation and PacifiCare Foundation in the adjudication and selection process. The Asia Society is an international organization dedicated to strengthening relationships and deepening understanding among the peoples of Asia and the United States. Founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller III, Asia Society reaches audiences around the world through its headquarters in New York and centers in: Houston; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Washington, D.C.; Hong Kong; Manila, the Philippines; Melbourne, Australia; Mumbai, India; and Shanghai, China.

"We reviewed numerous applications from students all over the country for United Health Foundation's Asian-American Scholars Program, and we were impressed by not only their intelligence but also the stories they told about what inspired them to pursue careers in health care," said Deborah Jordon, executive director, Asia Society Southern California. "Most of all, we were moved by their desire to serve their communities once they graduate. We congratulate Semmie, Gloria and In Hwan and wish them the very best as they pursue their educational and career goals."

About United Health Foundation

United Health Foundation is an independent not-for-profit foundation solely funded by UnitedHealth Group. The Foundation provides information to physicians and other health professionals, individuals and communities to support health and medical decisions that lead to better health outcomes and healthier communities. For further information, please visit http://www.unitedhealthfoundation.org/.

United Health Foundation

CONTACT: Dan Miller, +1-714-226-3726, dan.miller@phs.com, for UnitedHealth Foundation

Web site: http://www.unitedhealthfoundation.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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