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SC AHEC names 2005 Future Health Professional of the Year The South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium (S.C. AHEC) named Aisha Martin as the 2005 Future Health Professional of the Year. Martin is a rising junior at Richland Northeast High School and an active member of the Mid-Carolina region of the S.C. AHEC Association of Future Health Professionals.   The S.C. AHEC Future Health Professional of the Year Award annually recognizes the exemplary academic preparation and community service of a member of the S.C. AHEC Association of Future Health Professionals. Nominees must have been an active member of the program for a minimum of seven months; be a 11th or 12th grader, or graduating high school senior during the 2004 – 2005 school term; and possess a minimum of a 2.75 cumulative grade point average and 3.0 cumulative average in math and science.   Martin exemplifies the dedication and focus needed to become a health professional.  “My plan to achieve a career in health has already begun,” she explains.  “I am currently enrolled in additional math and science classes beyond those required for graduation.”   “Academically, Aisha has proven that she is willing and able to master even the most rigorous educational courses while being involved in numerous community, extracurricular and volunteer activities,” said Angel Clark, Student Development and Diversity program coordinator for Mid-Carolina AHEC.   The award was presented at the 2005 Future Health Professionals Leadership Institute which was held June 7-10 on the campus of South Carolina State University. The Summer Institute provides an intensive opportunity for secondary and post-secondary education students to explore primary and allied health careers, develop/enhance skills to promote academic excellence and professionalism, explore opportunities and resources for the pursuit of higher education, and promote healthy lifestyles for themselves and their communities.   Gov. Mark Sanford and Paul Miller, mayor of Orangeburg, both proclaimed the week of June 7-10, to be “Future Health Professionals Week.” Sanford’s proclamation “encourage(d) all South Carolinas to encourage our young people to explore the possibility of pursing a professional career in the health care field to enhance the quality of life of the residents of our communities.”   The South Carolina AHEC exists to help improve the health of South Carolina’s citizens. Established in 1972, S.C. AHEC is the only organization in South Carolina that addresses health care workforce needs starting at the level of primary and secondary school education and extending to practicing health care professionals throughout the state.    The success of the S.C. AHEC is due to the excellent partnerships that were built with South Carolina’s colleges, universities, teaching hospitals and communities.    “My involvement in AHEC provided many opportunities to interact and hear from health care professionals and universities that specialize in preparing individuals for careers in health,” Martin said.   For additional information about the Future Health Professional program or this year’s award winner, contact Angelica Williams, director of Student Development and Diversity Programs, at 792-4432 or willaa@musc.edu.     Friday, June 17, 2005 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 petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.