07/09/2021

The Heart and Vascular Center mentorship program for South Side students works to increase diversity in healthcare

HVC program

As part of its commitment to improving the health of community members on Chicago’s South Side, the University of Chicago Medicine is focused on increasing diversity and representation of minorities in healthcare professions. One such effort, the Heart and Vascular Center (HVC) Mentorship Program, introduces high school juniors and seniors to a variety of healthcare careers by connecting them to physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, medical technicians, researchers, executives, engineers and other professionals through a series of workshops and activities.

The program, which was the brainchild of Valluvan Jeevanandam, MD, director of the Heart and Vascular Center, is led by cardiologist Bryan Smith, MD and Aaron Manewith, administrative specialist for cardiac surgery and the mentorship program administrator.

“We’re invested in ensuring our community members work in the hospital and become leaders,” said Smith. “This will not only increase diversity, but it improves care of our patients and the health of our community.”

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