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Reception to launch scholarship fundraising effort slated for April 21 Closing the Gap in Health Care Inc. (CGHC) along with Select Health of South Carolina announce the Thaddeus John Bell Scholarship Endowment of the Coastal Community Foundation  benefiting black students pursuing a health profession degree at any of the MUSC six colleges.    An inaugural reception to launch fundraising efforts for the scholarship will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, April 21 at the Embassy Suites Convention Center, 5055 International Blvd., North Charleston. Jim Edwards, DMD, former MUSC president; Layton McCurdy, M.D., former Dean Emeritus of the College of Medicine at MUSC; and Student Program manager, Lucille Skaggs, will be recognized for their contributions to the educational advancement of minority students during their tenure at MUSC.     According to the South Carolina Budget and Control Board Research and Statistics, blacks represent 5 percent of the workforce of health care professions that require a medical degree. The scholarship will help to balance a disproportionate representation of blacks in the medical arena.   “While this scholarship will offer financial assistance, it's going to take the collective efforts of the community to create an environment that encourages an interest in the field of medicine, especially in the mindsets of the younger generation,” said Thaddeus John Bell, M.D., a family physician and the associate dean for diversity in the MUSC College of Medicine.   Bell has been a advocate in creating awareness of minority issues as they relate to quality health care and the pursuit of educational advancement. He has a special concern for health disparities within the black population, thus establishing CGHC in 2002, and making health information available to more than 70,000 people a month.     Seed money for the scholarship endowment was provided by Select Health of South Carolina, the state's oldest and most experienced managed Medicaid organization.    “To partner with Dr. Bell for this worthwhile initiative allows us the opportunity to see our mission of helping people get care, stay well, and build healthy communities, alive and affecting people in a profound way,” said Kathy Stone, vice president of public affairs for Select Health.   For more information on tickets, contact Chakira Hogan at 569-4888.     Friday, March 23, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.