Empowering Upstate Students Through Healthcare Education

We love giving local high school students the opportunity to explore potential careers in healthcare. Thanks to our partnership with the Daniel-Mickel Foundation, Greenville Health Authority, and the Upstate Health Education Center (AHEC), students have access to a range of programs that provide hands-on learning, mentoring, and scholarships, all designed to support and inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals.

The McClaren AHEC Scholars Program offers a comprehensive approach to healthcare education. Students participate in a curriculum that includes online learning modules covering essential healthcare concepts. This allows our young people to build a solid foundation in medical knowledge, from the science basics to more specialized topics required for a healthcare career.

The first cohort of McClaren AHEC Scholars was selected in the spring of 2024 and started their programming together. These ten students were chosen from multiple Upstate-area high schools.

Through the Health Careers Academy, students can engage in monthly sessions to connect with professionals in the field, learn from mentors, and participate in interactive workshops. These sessions are designed to show students what it’s like working in healthcare while providing them with the tools and guidance needed to pursue their career paths.

One of the standout features of these programs is the summer program, which gives students the chance to experience the healthcare field up close. Through shadowing opportunities, volunteering, and talks from healthcare experts, students experience the realities of working in healthcare. These experiences demystify the day-to-day challenges of healthcare workers and provide them with a more realistic understanding of the medical field.

Students participating in these programs also become eligible for scholarships to help them pursue a healthcare career. Financial barriers are one of the biggest problems keeping young people from pursuing higher education. These scholarship opportunities are a crucial way to give students the resources they need to succeed.

All of these efforts are rooted in the mission of the McClaren Institute for Health & Quality of Life, which focuses on addressing healthcare disparities in Black and underserved neighborhoods across the Upstate. The Institute’s work highlights the five key social determinants of health: education access, healthcare access, neighborhood and environment, social connections, and economic stability. By encouraging more students from diverse backgrounds to enter healthcare professions, the Urban League of the Upstate is helping to create a more equitable future for everyone.

We’re proud to offer these opportunities to local high school students to help prepare them to become the next generation of healthcare leaders. By creating a space for young people to pursue their passions and providing tangible support through mentorship, education, and financial aid, we are empowering students to pursue careers that will benefit themselves and their communities.