Cerritos College Project HOPE to Host Second Annual Banquet Honoring Healthcare Students

Project Increases Success of Latino Students in Health Careers

WHAT: Cerritos College’s Project HOPE (Health Opportunities & Pipeline to Education) will host its annual graduation banquet entitled “Ensuring Diversity in the Health Professions” on Tuesday, May 2 at 5:30 p.m. in the Cerritos College Student Center.The banquet will recognize graduating Project HOPE students, all of whom are transferring to four-year institutions including UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Irvine and Cal State Long Beach.

Keynote speaker for the event will be Dr. Ismael Nuño, chief of cardiac surgery at LAC/USC Medical Center; Azucena Gómez, of Telemundo, is scheduled to serve as master of ceremonies.

Cerritos College’s awareness of its diverse student population and changing community needs contributed to the birth of Project HOPE four years ago through Title V funding. Project HOPE is designed to increase the number and success of Latinos and other underrepresented students entering the health professions.

“The disparity among health care professionals in a community that represents such a significant percentage of the state’s population is alarming,” explained Project HOPE Director Graciela Vasquez.

“It requires that an immediate investment in the future of health care professionals so as to guarantee adequate health care access and workforce diversity in California.”

Vasquez further explained that Project HOPE is committed to remedying the Latino health professional shortage.

This year, Project HOPE is hosting a banquet both to recognize its graduates and to invite business partners, civic leaders, community members and friends to sponsor tables at $1,000 each or individual seats at $150.

An industry-supported advisory committee for the program consists of representatives from the Los Angeles County Office of Education, VERIZON, and Orange County's Credit Union.

WHEN: Tuesday, May 2 at 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Cerritos College Student Center

11110 Alondra Blvd

Norwalk, CA 90650-6298

View a campus map.

CONTACT: For more information about sponsoring a table at the first annual Project Hope graduation banquet entitled, please contact Project Hope at (562) 860-2451, ext. 2788 or by e-mail at gvasquez@cerritos.edu.

Project HOPE is dedicated to increasing the number of Latinos and other underrepresented groups entering, matriculating, and completing health careers. The project aims to create an academic pipeline facilitating the success of minority students in this competitive field. Program activities include: student services geared toward health careers; teaching strategies and courses that increase retention and success of Latino students and other minorities; organized workshops, conferences and research opportunities; community service venues; and peer and professional mentoring. For more information about Project Hope, visit www.cerritos.edu/hope. 

###

The Campus Connection Online, March 20, 2006