"The University of New Mexico has unveiled a multimillion-dollar plan to create a think tank that will put Hispanic and Native scholars at the forefront of the national debate on health policy issues.

"We are delighted to create a center that will one day strongly influence health policy in this country," said acting UNM President David Harris.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation officials have given the university an $18.5 million grant - the largest private gift in UNM history - to establish a national center for health policy at the university. The center aims to help Native and Hispanic students who are pursuing doctoral programs in the social sciences.

"To create the best health care services for all Americans, the country needs a diverse group of leaders in Washington and in academic circles who represent the interests, cultures and needs of this incredibly diverse nation," said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, the foundation president. "When it comes to health, one size does not fit all. We need to nurture and support a new generation of health policy leaders with diverse perspectives."

Charlene Porsild, program manager for the Robert Wood Johnson Center for Health Policy, will be searching the country for doctoral students. Candidates will be eligible for $22,000 annual scholarships. Students will be able to choose courses of study existing within UNM's political science, economics and sociology programs.

"We can recruit Hispanics, we have so many in the pipeline already," said Porsild. "The biggest challenge is going to be finding Native Americans. We just don't have that many in master's programs who are going that direction."

Get the Story:
Jodi Rave: Think tank to look at U.S. health strategies (The Missoulian 1/15)

Relevant Links:
Jodi Rave - http://www.missoulian.com/jodirave

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