The Della Keats Program is a 4-week residential summer experience for high school juniors, seniors and 2024 graduates interested in a career in health care. High school aged students completing their GED are also eligible to apply. The program will foster learning, exposure to health careers and increase college readiness.
The program is named after Della Keats, an Alaska Native Inupiaq traditional healer from the Kotzebue region. Della Keats provided both educational and medical services to her people throughout her life, and believed strongly in the importance of expanding, maintaining, and sharing medical knowledge in ways that would benefit both Alaska Native people and the broader Alaskan community.
Dates- Participants move into housing and Program Orientation: June 16, 2024
- Program Start: June 17, 2024
- Program End: July 13, 2024
- Participant move out: July 14, 2024
Application Considerations
- Interest in health careers biomedical research, medicine or the health professions, as demonstrated by a personal statement that will be submitted by the students as part of the application process.
- Academic potential as demonstrated by teacher/elder/counselor/employer recommendations
- Alaska Native students as they represent the largest underserved community in the state, and/or students who live off the road system as they face unique challenges with respect to education and educational opportunities.
Application Requirements
- Minimum (1) Letter of Recommendation from a Teacher, Counselor, Elder or Mentor highlighting applicant's ability/potential
- Personal Statement Essay
- Academic Transcript (Optional)
Program Contact Information
Lynda Hernandez
Associate Director, Alaska Center for Rural Health and Health Workforce
lrhernandez@alaska.edu
Phone: 907-786-6591
