By: Peg Quann

Peg Quann — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:04:56 +0000

I enjoyed participating in the “Eds and Meds” forum very much. Everyone in the work group I attended expressed ideas on how to grow the region’s self respect as a national center for educational and medical research and development.
I think a future forum should develop a concrete plan of action. The people who attended the first forum have skills that could further this goal. Perhaps it would be good to take a few ideas and work on them.
My suggestions:
1. Hold a regional meeting with school district officials and local medical facilities and universities on ways to introduce students -
particularly those at risk of dropping out of school – to what it’s like to attend college or work in medical research. Develop
sponsorship of tours of a medical facility or pharmaceutical lab. When our son started medical school last year at Jefferson, my husband and I and other parents were given a tour of the facilities and saw some
of the state-of-the-art equipment being used in hospitals today. We found it fascinating. I’m sure high school students would as well.
2. Help get the word out – perhaps during these tours – about programs that the state offers for students who consider working in scientific or technological fields. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency offers $3,000 grants each year from sophomore through senior year of college for students who enter these fields and
agree to work in Pennsylvania one year for each year they received the grant. I’m not sure many people know about these grants.
3. Develop a program with home improvement centers – like Lowe’s in West Philadelphia – on sponsorship of workshops to teach families buying
their first house in the city how to maintain it. Parents who were raised in conditions of poverty themselves – whether in the inner
city or in a foreign country – often do not know how or have the resources to maintain a home properly. A good home environment is
vital to a child’s success in school.
These are a few ideas to continue the work of the “eds and meds” forum. Best wishes with this endeavor.

Comments on: Growing Philly's lead in "Eds and Meds" sector

By: Peg Quann