Recent action by the U.S. Supreme Court in support of affirmative action in college admissions does not offer a solution for the lack of minorities in health-related fields, according to Sullivan.
"We know this ruling will not automatically lead to changes in how schools, especially health professional schools' recruit, admit and retain underrepresented minority students," Sullivan says. "It will take innovative approaches by schools to fulfill the dream of putting a health professions career within reach for more of our nation's qualified minority students."
Findings from the hearings will inform the commission's final report, scheduled for release in Spring 2004, on bringing about systemic change at U.S. health professionals schools, and ultimately, to eliminate disparities in health status and unequal access to health services. The commission is administered by the Duke University School of Medicine and funded by the Kellogg Foundation.
