The diversity of the population in the state of North Carolina is currently not mirrored by its physician workforce. The underrepresentation of minorities in medicine has important implications for their health care and outcomes. This Center of Excellence extends current programs in an effort to increase the pool of qualified underrepresented minority applicants to health affairs schools.

The Center of Excellence will promote gains in academic performance and test scores:

• through the Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP) by providing mentoring and training opportunities in laboratory research skills in the UNC-CH School of Medicine for 25 high school juniors and seniors
• through the Summer Enrichment in Mathematics (SEMS) program for 25 rising URM high school seniors in Greensboro AHEC
• through the 8-week Science Enrichment Preparation Program for 30 rising college sophomores and juniors
• through the 9-week Medical Education Development (MED) Program, an intensive summer enrichment program for 65 rising URM college seniors and post-college students.