The Hector P. Garcia Committee solicits applications from UTMB students for the Hector P. Garcia, M.D. Cultural Competence Award. The award, which includes a monetary prize, will be presented at the 11th Annual Hector P. Garcia. M.D. Award Ceremony, which will be held on September 24, 2007.

The award celebrates Garcia, a distinguished School of Medicine Class of 1942 alumnus and civil right champion, and recognizes a student who demonstrates commitment to providing quality health care to all by incorporating cultural knowledge and skills in his or her service to others.
All full-time UTMB students are eligible to submit essays for the award.

You can read about Dr. Garcia at the UTMB Hector P. Garcia web page at http://www.utmb.edu/drgarcia/.

DEADLINE
Submit all materials no later than August 31, 2007, to:

University Student Services
Jamail Student Center, Room 2.118
Johnny Scott - jbscott@utmb.edu

SELECTION CRITERIA
All applications must:

• have good academic standing.
• have demonstrated committment to personal and professional development of cultural competency skills,
• have demonstrated leadership and service in cross-cultural activites
• be enrolled as a full-time UTMB student, and
• a written 1,500 word essay.

APPLICATION PACKET
Students must submit the following materials to be considered for the Hector P. Garcia, M.D. Cultural Competence Award:

• A cover letter declaring the student's interest in being considered for the award and providing information on the student's leadership and service on cross-cultural activities.
• An essay expressing the student's understanding of cultural competence as it relates to his or her ability to work with, conduct research with or treat people from diverse cultures. Students may write about their own personal experiences and the ways in which their understanding, attitudes and skills relative to cross-cultural issues have evolved. Essays should be typed double-spaced with 1.5" margins and should not exceed 1,500 words.
  • Email your essay in MS Word to Johnny Scott in University Student Services at jbscott@utmb.edu.
  • Applicants should not inlcude their name on their essay, only on the cover letter. Essay submissions will be evaluated in a "blind review" process.
• A letter of reference from a reference who can confirm the student's development in the area of cultural competence and committment to diversity.

SELECTION PROCESS
Essays will be judged by members of the Hector P. Garcia Committee. The judges will evaluate the writer's personal understanding of cultural competence and how he or she applies it in the delivery of quality health care.

SPONSORS
University Student Services
Office of Diversity and International Affairs

CONTACT
For more information about the award or diversity programs at UTMB, contact University Student Services at (409) 747-4820 or the Office of Diversity and International Affairs at (409) 747-8823.