The University of Oklahoma is eliminating a program that recruits and supports Indian medical students due to a federal funding cut.

The Native American Center of Excellence Consortium is losing about $520,000. The school has no money to keep it going past August 31.

Indian medical students say the loss of the program will be devastating. They cited the benefits and support they found at the center.

Philip McHale, the director of the center, is seeking an extension to keep it running until May 2007. He plans to ask tribes to provide funding for a scaled-back program.

The Center for American Indian and Minority Health at the University of Minnesota Medical School also faces a funding cut. There are only three centers in the U.S. that encourage Indians to enter the medical field.

Get the Story:
Indian doctor program threatened (The Oklahoman 7/7)
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Relevant Links:
Native American Center of Excellence Consortium - http://w3.ouhsc.edu/nace

Related Stories:
Funding cut threatens Indian medical school program (7/5)
U-M Indian health center to lose federal funds (6/22)