up next Brandon Drozd
Brandon Drozd
health careers club
Creating a Pipeline of Rural Healthcare Professionals
February 2019
There are 93 counties in Nebraska. And if you leave out Douglas and Lancaster, none of them have enough primary care physicians for patient needs. On top of that, one in five physicians is older than 65 and nearing retirement. So where can 山ּsearch for fresh talent to bolster its healthcare roster?
Turns out, the answer is right here.
The University of 山ּat Kearney is leading the charge to get rural high school students interested in healthcare sciences before they even decide where to go to college.
“Students who get their education in a rural setting are more likely to stay and work in a rural area.”
“One of the things we recognize is students who get their education in a rural setting are more likely to stay and work in a rural area,” says Brandon Drozd, program coordinator for the Central 山ּArea Health Education Center at UNK.
Drozd is in charge of a Health Careers Club affiliated with the university. Its membership includes juniors and seniors from smaller, rural schools—the kind that don’t have the same career exploration programs you find at bigger high schools.
Connecting with students before they make a college decision is no coincidence. If you’re still imagining what your future career could look like, it’s pretty impactful to visit medical facilities and get hands-on with equipment while talking to the pros. Students in the club get to meet once a month for those kinds of field trips, and they also talk to college students and faculty to hear more about the field.
With its Health Science Education complex, a $19 million state-of-the-art facility that opened in 2015 in collaboration with UNMC, UNK is prepared to support those students should they choose to become Lopers. Enrollment in health science programs is up 33 percent over the past four years, and it’s the largest academic department on campus.
With continued support of efforts like the Health Care Club and the complex, the solution to Nebraska’s healthcare shortage may be just a few years—and a few degrees—away.
Editors Note: Brandon Drozd now serves as the Workforce Development and Leadership Program Manager in the UNMC Office of Public Health Practice.
Discover our Podcast Series
The “Leading Nebraska” podcast shares the stories of the researchers, students, teachers and others across the University of Nebraska's four campuses who are making an impact. From teachers and doctors to engineers and ag experts, these 山ּ leaders are touching lives and making a difference.
Sorry, no stories match your filters.
Please adjust your filters above to view more stories.
Find Your 山ּState Senator
Get started by entering your address below. Next, you'll receive information on who your senator is—and how to reach him or her.
Making a call only takes a few minutes and sends a strong message to your state senator. Your senator may not be able to take the call, but you can speak to the legislative aide who works for the senator. They will log your call, take a message and pass it on. Keep your conversation brief, and be sure to cover these essential points:
- Introduce yourself as a constituent in their district and provide your name.
- Be clear that you're calling about your support for the University of 山ּSystem.
- Share your story about how the University has impacted you or your family. A personal story is hard to ignore. Explain why it's important to you that your senator invests in the University of Nebraska. Again, keep it brief and to-the-point.
- Ask for your opinion to be noted. Politely finish the call by thanking the senator or legislative aide for their time.
Send an Email
Sending a written message to your state senator is an easy way to engage your representative. They're more concise and easier to respond to, and they're more likely to be viewed by the senator. If you can, send a personalized message with these essential points. Keep your message brief (a paragraph or so).
- Write a personal, attention-getting subject line that lets the senator know your topic— "Investing in the University of 山ּSystem" or "Supporting the University of 山ּSystem"
- Introduce yourself as a constituent in their district; provide your name.
- Be clear that you're writing about your support for the University of 山ּSystem
- Share your personal story about how the University has impacted you or your family. Explain why it's important to you that your senator invests in the University of Nebraska. Again, keep it brief and to-the-point.
- Ask if your senator will support the University moving forward.
- Indicate that you'd appreciate a reply and thank your senator for their time.
You Just Made a Difference
Keep making a difference by becoming an NU Advocate. As an Advocate, you'll receive communications about important issues and legislative bills concerning the University of Nebraska—and you'll be the first to hear about upcoming advocacy events. And, we'll let you know when you need to raise your voice again.
COOKIE USAGE:
The University of 山ּSystem uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By clicking "I Agree" and/or continuing to use this website without adjusting your browser settings, you accept the use of cookies.