The United Health Foundation believes that innovative solutions often come from those with fresh perspectives. That’s why we’re excited to host the 6th Annual Diverse Scholars Forum in Washington, D.C., this month. Building on the success of past years, this special event brings together more than 100 bright minds, including undergraduate, as well as graduate-level scholarship recipients from across the nation. This is our largest Forum ever, and we look forward to discussing key health issues, as well as identifying meaningful ways to address them.
These scholarship recipients are a key part of the Diverse Scholars Initiative, which supports the United Health Foundation’s commitment to improving the health system by increasing the number of professionals from multicultural backgrounds. Since 2007, United Health Foundation has committed more than $9 million to provide over 1,400 scholarships to some of the best and brightest students pursuing careers in health.
Our 2014 Forum is built on the theme “Populations, Patients and Practice.” Leading health experts and policymakers will engage scholars in conversation about our nation’s most pressing health challenges and inspire them to envision their own future impact on the health of communities across the country.
We hope this next generation of health workforce leaders can provide solutions to the challenges facing our nation, and bolster the strengths identified each year through America’s Health Rankings®. As the Rankings show, each state faces challenges and strengths when it comes to health, which is why we advocate for working together – across multiple levels and disciplines – to identify opportunities to improve the health of states and communities.
It’s in that spirit that this year’s agenda includes a group activity where scholars will consider a health challenge – diabetes, obesity, access to care or senior health – in their home state. Armed with tools such as the America’s Health Rankings Report, they’ll be asked to keep in mind the specific challenges faced by different population groups in their state and how they can address the health disparities within these groups. Most importantly, the exercise will allow them to evaluate the pivotal role they – and their generation of peers – will play in their future careers as health professionals, thought leaders and agents for change.
For more information on the United Health Foundation’s Diverse Scholars Initiative, please visit our website.
Blog Author
Kate Rubin
Kate Rubin is vice president of Social Responsibility for UnitedHealth Group and president of the United Health Foundation.
With corporate philanthropy totaling nearly $60 million in 2011 and initiatives targeting chronic diseases around the globe, UnitedHealth Group and its employees work to maximize efforts and opportunities, including foundations, volunteerism, community involvement and commitment to the environment, to make a positive impact on people’s health and their communities.
Prior to joining UnitedHealth Group, Ms. Rubin served nine years as president of the Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA), the largest technology trade organization in the state. Ms. Rubin was a business unit executive with IBM where she led a $100 million, 100 person technology group and managed multiple entrepreneurial start-up operations in marketing, sales, service and systems integration across a broad set of industries in many geographies.
Ms. Rubin serves on the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs Advisory Board, and the State of Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board.
Ms. Rubin holds a B.B.A. in marketing and industrial relations from the University of Iowa and an M.A. in Human Resource Development from the University of Minnesota.