In May 2024, members of IHEART from across all five regions and the national leadership team convened to share insights and support on our ongoing work to increase educational pathways and improve retention for AI/AN students in the health sciences. The objectives of the 2024 virtual summit were to:
- Disseminate updates from IHEART’s National Leadership to current and potential taskforce members;
- Reconnect colleagues within and across IHEART regions;
- Share information on opportunities for funding and support to develop novel health career pathways programs for AI/AN students; and
- Brainstorm how the taskforce can support the next generation of Indigenous leaders in healthcare.
The summit began with an opening prayer by Megan Lhotka, who is an Ojibwe language and culture revitalizer, consultant, teacher, trainer, and learner based out of the University of Minnesota Medical School. Other highlights included the reveal of the new IHEART logo, designed by Jessica Harjo of Weomepe Designs; a student panel on resilience in STEM and health sciences education; a plenary session on anti-DEI legislation and its implications for AI/AN students and healthcare workers; and a showcase of pathways programs hosted by IHEART members from across the nation.
A full recap of the summit is available here.
Recordings of the sessions are viewable on the IHEART YouTube channel.
