Minorities in Health Professions

Overview

New Jersey’s racial and ethnic minority populations are growing, and so too is the state’s need for a diverse health professional workforce.

Minority doctors, nurses and public health workers can play a vital role in improving the health of minority communities. 

In the clinical setting, studies have shown that patients participate more in their own health care when seeing a provider of the same race.  Studies have also shown that providers from racial and ethnic communities are more sensitive to the cultural, social and linguistic issues that can impact the patient’s health.

Minority public health professionals can be effective advocates, providing strong leadership on the topic of health disparities at the policy level, in developing and managing programs, and in health education and outreach.

Whether in the clinic or in public health, these professionals develop the trust of the people they serve because of shared culture, mutual understanding and respect.

Special training and research programs, internships, fellowships and other professional opportunities can be effective methods of recruiting and developing a more diverse health workforce.

DHSS Initiative

Pilot Mentoring Program --This program aims to expand the number of minority public health professionals in management positions at DHSS.  Through this program, selected minority employees are matched with senior managers who serve as their mentors.  Mentors and protégés meet weekly, and protégés also attend training sessions on a range of management issues.

Resources

For a complimentary copy of the African American Physician Directory Resource Guide for New Jersey, New York City & Philadelphia, please visit Community United Providers.

Below are links to educational and professional resources on the web.

Professional Networks

Latino Caucus of the American Public Health Association

Asian Pacific Islander Caucus of the American Public Health Association

The National Black Nurses Association

The National Association of Hispanic Nurses

The National Medical Association

The National Hispanic Medical Association

Training/Fellowship Opportunities

Latino Fellowship Program

Minority Health Professional Training Programs

CDC Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities Training Opportunities

CDC Public Health Training Opportunities

Minority Health Professions Foundation

Syracuse University Health Professions Advisory Program

Commonwealth Fund Harvard University Fellowship (CFHUF) in
Minority Health Policy

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Minority Health Program

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