PURPOSE

Despite increased technology and knowledge, the world's health problems continue to multiply, creating an overwhelming demand for physicans. Dedicated and qualified physicans are needed to care for America's aged and indigent, to serve in rural communities, to provide quality health care for inner city families on fixed incomes, and to respond to the flood of emergency calls in public hospitals. In almost every branch of the medical field, there is a vacancy waiting to be filled.

Here, in the Morehouse College Health Careers Society, it has been our challenge to try and fill such voids by assisting those who aspire to a medical career. In the fall of 1998 approximately 16,541 students enrolled in medical schools in the United States. Of those 16,541 students and potential physicians, only 513 were African-American men. This enormous under-representation in the medical field is a specific problem that the Morehouse College Health Careers Society strives to eradicate. Our society seeks to effectively address the special concerns of African-American men in pursuit of careers in the health professions by disseminating information pertaining to medical, educational, and occupational opportunities. We provide a structure which encourages students interested in the health professions to engage in scholarships, leadership, and service to the College and the surrounding community. The Society is also a catalyst for the initiation and maintenance of health-related endeavors. Our ultimate goal is to assure that our students are sufficiently enlightened and prepared for the challenges which await them as they seek a medical education. We feel that an orientation of this sort will enhance students' chances for the achievement of success.