NC-HCAP News

Former NC-HCAP directors join together to cut a special NC-HCAP cake in celebration of the organization’s 35th anniversary. L to r: Eva Clayton, Dr. E. Lavonia Allison, Dr. Robert Thorpe, Dr. Carolyn Mayo.

North Carolina Health Careers Access Program
Celebrates 35th Anniversary

10.26.06

CHAPEL HILL, NC- The North Carolina Health Careers Access Program (NC-HCAP) culminated a year-long commemoration of its 35th anniversary with a special program and reception on October 26 at the George Watts Hill Alumni Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“This is an exciting time for NC-HCAP. This anniversary celebration is about recognizing our rich heritage of providing academic and enrichment support for students aspiring to become health professionals and celebrating our continued impact on their academic and professional lives,” says Dr. Carolyn M. Mayo, NC-HCAP director. “When these students become health practitioners—particularly in underserved communities—they promote a higher quality of life for us all.”

In 1971, former UNC vice chancellor for health affairs Dr. Cecil G. Sheps had the vision to establish the North Carolina Health Manpower Development Program in an effort to help provide a solution to the severe shortage of underrepresented minority health professionals, specifically in underserved rural and inner-city North Carolina communities. In 1973, the organization expanded to include three regional health careers centers at North Carolina Central University, Elizabeth City State University and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. It was renamed the North Carolina Health Careers Access Program in 1990.

Since its inception, NC-HCAP has served thousands of students, administrators, health professionals, advisors, mentors and parents. The organization has worked diligently to increase the number of minority and disadvantaged students interested, educated and employed in the health professions. Today, NC-HCAP continues to develop innovative ways to provide health careers education as well as academic and enrichment support to pre-college and college students.

According to Dr. Carol Tresolini, associate provost for academic initiatives at UNC, NC-HCAP “is a critically important component of the pipeline of programs that prepare students for success in their chosen health professions.” Other campus officials agree. “NC-HCAP is making a positive difference every day for disadvantaged students who are interested in the health professions,” says Chancellor James Moeser. “Its presence at Carolina benefits everyone through daily interaction with the health related schools and campus diversity programs. Providing access to a college education for disadvantaged students is part of our commitment to the State of North Carolina and key to our mission of service.”

Mayo presided over the ceremony that featured the three previous directors as special guests. Founding director Eva Clayton, Dr. E. Lavonia Allison and Dr. Robert L. Thorpe reflected upon their NC-HCAP experiences and highlighted some of NC-HCAP’s most profound accomplishments during its thirty-five years. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Mayo was recognized for her sixteen years of service to the organization. On November 1, she assumed a new position as chair of the Department of Communication Disorders at North Carolina Central University in Durham. Patrena B. Majette, NC-HCAP associate director and chief operating officer, was named the interim director for the organization.

For more information about the North Carolina Health Careers Access Program or its programs and services, contact (919) 966-2264 or visit the Web site at http://nchcap.unc.edu.