United Health Foundation Partners With Harris-Stowe State University to Create New Bioinformatics Program
November 19 2021 - 06:30AM
Business Wire
The $2 million, three-year grant will fund up
to 75 undergraduate scholarships and help increase the number of
diverse students trained in biomedical sciences
The United Health Foundation, the philanthropic foundation of
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), has awarded a $2 million,
three-year grant to Harris-Stowe State University to create a
bioinformatics program for undergraduate students at the
historically Black university located in St. Louis. Bioinformatics
is an emerging field that combines science, physics, math and
biology to aid in the diagnosis, treatment and discovery of new
therapeutic advancements. An example of bioinformatics is the use
of computer analysis on the Human Genome Project, which has
recorded the 3 billion basic pairs of the human DNA system.
HSSU will develop a new undergraduate program to train students
for careers as bioinformatics professionals. HSSU will use the
support to:
- Develop new curricula combining coursework and experiential
learning opportunities.
- Expose high school students in surrounding school districts to
the field of bioinformatics through a summer bioinformatics “boot
camp” program.
- Offer academic scholarships for up to 25 students each
year.
“In the past decade, Harris-Stowe State University has emerged
as a leader in training students for high-tech careers. This new
program will help us to build on that important work, as well as
continue to fulfill our mission of serving historically
underrepresented students,” said Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith, interim
president of HSSU. “Bioinformatics is a rapidly growing field of
study, and it is vital for all people to play a role in its
advancement.”
Studies have shown that there is a substantial gap in the number
of diverse college students trained in biomedical sciences. Black,
Hispanic and Native American people account for only 7.1% of the
employed biological/biomedical and life sciences workforce,
according to the National Science Foundation. A diverse health
workforce helps provide personalized, culturally competent care to
an increasingly diverse population.
“The United Health Foundation is honored to collaborate with
Harris-Stowe State University to increase the diversity of the life
sciences workforce. We are excited about HSSU training students who
will make discoveries, develop therapies and advance health care
for all,” said Patrick Quinn, CEO of UnitedHealthcare in Missouri,
a UnitedHealth Group company. “This partnership illustrates
UnitedHealth Group’s commitment to health equity and to building a
diverse health workforce reflective of our society.”
The commitment in Missouri is one of many ways UnitedHealth
Group is working to advance health equity by diversifying the
health workforce of the future. The United Health Foundation’s
Diverse Scholars Initiative, for example, partners with nine
nonprofit and civic organizations and has provided over 3,000
scholarships to diverse students studying medicine and public
health across the U.S. since 2007. Optum Technology, part of Optum
which is a UnitedHealth Group company, offers a mentor-led STEM
program that has provided science, technology, engineering and
mathematics training to over 7,000 diverse and underrepresented
students at 103 middle and high schools since 2019. To learn more
about the company’s commitment to health equity as well as its
efforts to build healthier communities, improve outcomes and create
a modern, high-performing health care system, please visit the
company’s sustainability website.
About Harris-Stowe State University
For over 160 years, Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) has
served the historically underrepresented. As a Historically Black
College and University, HSSU is strongly committed to providing a
high-quality higher education experience that is both affordable
and accessible to the diverse populations within and beyond the
metropolitan St. Louis region. More than 90% of student population
are racially and ethnically diverse and receive some form of
financial aid.
About the United Health Foundation
Through collaboration with community partners, grants and
outreach efforts, the United Health Foundation works to improve our
health system, build a diverse and dynamic health workforce and
enhance the well-being of local communities. The United Health
Foundation was established by UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) in
1999 as a not-for-profit, private foundation dedicated to improving
health and health care. To date, the United Health Foundation has
committed more than $500 million to programs and communities around
the world. To learn more, visit UnitedHealthFoundation.org.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211119005180/en/
Media Contact Tony Marusic, UnitedHealthcare (312)
348-3825 tony_marusic@uhc.com
UnitedHealth (NYSE:UNH)
Historical Stock Chart
From Feb 2024 to Mar 2024
UnitedHealth (NYSE:UNH)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2023 to Mar 2024