UConn Health

May 17, 2013 | By Granville Wrensford and Marlyn Davila with HCOP

HCOP Holds Recognition and Academic Year Closing Ceremony

Event culminates successful year for high school students from the Greater Hartford region.

HPPI Graduation

High school students graduate from Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative programs on May 7, 2013. (John Atashian for UConn Health Center)

HPPI Graduation
High school students graduate from Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative programs on May 7, 2013. (John Atashian for UConn Health Center)

The Department of Health Career Opportunity Programs (HCOP) hosted its annual Academic Year Closing and Recognition Ceremony for the Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative Programs (Aetna HPPI) on May 7.

This event marked the culmination of a very positive academic year enrichment experience for high school students from the Greater Hartford area who participated in the Jumpstart, Junior Doctors, and Senior Doctors Academies.

Greetings were given by Dr. Frank Torti, executive vice president for health affairs and dean of the UConn School of Medicine, Dr. Monty McNeil, dean of the UConn School of Dental Medicine and Chris Montross, head of Corporate Community Investments/Employee Programs, Aetna Community Relations.

The keynote speaker was Hartford’s Mayor Pedro E. Segarra who congratulated the students and challenged them to have a positive impact on reducing health disparities in the community.

Student reflections were given by Jaffet Rivera, Jumpstart 9th participant, and Jesus Bueno, Senior Doctors Academy participant and Class of 2013 graduate. Andrea Crittenden, one of the parents also gave an inspiring speech on the positive effects the programs have had on her two children who have participated in several of the HCOP programs.

HPPI Graduation
Dr. Marja Hurley and Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra present certificates to high school students graduating from Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative programs. (John Atashian for UConn Health Center)

All of the Senior Doctors Academy graduates will be attending a four year college with six of them enrolling at the University of Connecticut. Ashley Arthur was awarded the John and Valerie Rowe Scholarship. Debby-Ann Jackson was awarded the Friends of the Department of Health Career Opportunity Programs – Boake L. Plessy, Ph.D. Scholarship.

The Aetna HPPI is an education consortium offering a comprehensive program of educational enrichment and support activities to increase the competitive applicant pool of diverse students who are interested in careers in the health industry. The Jumpstart, Junior Doctors and Senior Doctors Academies are part of this comprehensive program of activities conducted by the HCOP Department.

Follow the UConn Health Center on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.