LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 30, 2019) — After successfully launching a cancer training program for Appalachian college undergrads in 2016, the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center is expanding the program to include high school students.
The Appalachian Career Training in Oncology (ACTION) Program will provide high school students with training and education to be involved in their community in a positive way. Students will be provided with research and clinical experience gained through both Markey and UK HealthCare, mentoring, professional development, and outreach opportunities in their own hometowns. It will assist these students in encouraging their communities to encompass lifestyle changes and behaviors that can help prevent cancer.
Students have the opportunity to participate in a five to six-week summer residential camp on UK’s campus over the two-year timeframe. Over the rest of the time, students will participate in academic activities from home.
“It’s a training program that really gets to the heart of the cancer problem in Kentucky,” said Nathan Vanderford, director of ACTION and assistant professor in the UK College of Medicine. “We’re training these students to be change agents in their own communities.”
For more information and an application, visit ukhealthcare.uky.edu/ACTION. Applications are due March 1.
Photo: CTOP meeting of UK Undergrads who did the program.
