Program Description

Both HCOP and HPPI are pipeline programs designed to encourage under-represented minorities to enlist in academic programs leading to masters and doctoral degrees in public health. The main purpose of both programs is to substantially increase the number of African Americans and Latinos who are accepted, enrolled, retained and graduated with Masters/Doctorate degrees in public health. The programs are targeted towards the West and South sides of the city of Chicago, which represent 95% of the Health Profession Shortage Areas (HPSA) in the state of Illinois and have a very small number of individuals with Masters and Doctorate degrees in public health. HCOP is a comprehensive program starting in elementary schools and going all the way to graduate school, while HPPI currently has programs running in elementary and high schools. By enrolling students in the program in elementary school and following them through high school to college with grade-specific approaches, the programs aim to increase the students' awareness of public health career options and prepare them for admission into schools with public health degree programs.

Funder Information

  • The Health Professional Partnership Initiative (HPPI) in funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) in collaboration with the Association of American Medical Colleges and Association of Schools of Public Health
  • The Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) is funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Division of Health Careers Diversity and Development (DHCDD)

Partner Information
These are our partners for both HCOP and HPPI

  • University of Illinois at Chicago Urban Health Program
    • Early Outreach Program
    • African American Academic Network
    • Latin American Recruitment and Educational Services
  • Chicago Public Schools
  • Chicago State University
  • Illinois Department of Public Health
  • Chicago Department of Public Health
  • African American Healthcare Council
  • Chicago Hispanic Health Coalition
  • Cook County Ambulatory and Community Health Network
  • Illinois Area Health Education Consortium
  • Westside Association for Community Action
  • Mile Square Health Center