The purpose of this Indian Health Service (IHS) cooperative agreement is to enhance medical professional recruitment and continuing education programs, services and activities for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) people.

The agency wants to facilitate continuing medical education for AI/AN

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physicians, through annual meetings and other venues that are culturally competent and sensitive.

Another purpose is to recruit AI/AN health professionals to pursue jobs that serve AI/AN people and improve the health care delivery system.

A third purpose is to provide opportunities for AI/AN youth to learn about the various Federal agencies and possible careers within the Federal Government that will result in a national mentoring program and creation of a pipeline for AI/AN youth into health careers.

IHS will provide funds in the amount of $105,000 in the first year (Fiscal Year 2016 only) to be used to complete the following Fiscal Year 2016 activities:
1) To support a national Native American youth conference, designed to expose high school students to health care careers, as well as prepare them for college with the goal of becoming health care providers.

2) To offer freshman and sophomore undergraduate students educational workshops to help them explore and prepare them for health education and careers in health care and/or research.

3) To offer junior and senior undergraduate students, preparing to apply for medical and health professions schools, educational opportunities designed to provide guidance regarding personal statement reviews, mock interviews, and mentorship on the admission process.

The purpose of the activities listed above is to increase the number of AI/AN youth pursuing careers in the health professions, thereby increasing the number of AI/AN medical professionals available to manage the chronic health challenges of AI/AN patients, including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and obesity.