Appalachian Career Training in Oncology (ACTION) Program

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The rural Appalachian Kentucky region has the highest cancer incidence and mortality rates in the United States, and it is also one of the most economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and poorly educated regions of the country. These disparities reveal a critical need for educational and scientific workforce preparedness intervention strategies targeted to this population. Through a Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) supplement in 2016, the research, clinical care, educational, and outreach strengths of the University of Kentucky’s Markey Cancer Center were leveraged to create the Appalachian Career Training In ONcology (ACTION) Program, which has been funded as a Youth Enjoy Science education intervention since 2018. In this renewal application, each year the ACTION Program will immerse 20 underrepresented high school and 20 undergraduate students from Appalachian Kentucky in mentored research, cancer care observation experiences, cancer education and career development activities, as well as hands-on community outreach activities. The goal of the program is to enhance the diversity of the biomedical workforce by preparing underrepresented Appalachian Kentucky high school and undergraduate students for biomedical careers, while also increasing the community’s understanding of cancer, thereby addressing the cancer and education disparities in Appalachian Kentucky and beyond. Impacts of the program will include: 1) supporting students’ matriculation into post-secondary, professional, and/or graduate biomedical degree programs; 2) instilling in students a lifelong commitment to research, education/outreach, or health care careers focused on the cancer burden and unique challenges in Appalachian Kentucky and beyond; and 3) enhancing the Appalachian Kentucky community’s understanding of cancer, cancer research, and clinical care, and linking these facets to the benefits of science education. The overarching goal and the program impacts will be accomplished through three Specific Aims: 1) developing students’ cancer research knowledge and skills through cross-disciplinary faculty- and peer-mentored research training experiences; 2) enhancing students’ career preparation by providing cancer education and career development curriculum support through faculty- and peer-led courses, workshops, seminars, and career coaching and mentoring; and 3) increasing the understanding of the research and clinical aspects of cancer and the importance of science education among students and teachers, parents/caregivers and families of ACTION students, and general community members through impactful outreach activities in students’ communities. New features of the program will include virtual research education experiences that complement hands-on research and education activities, a multi-institutional virtual outreach program, and a cancer curriculum outreach program for middle and high school students and teachers. With significant momentum achieved since its creation, the ACTION Program will continue having a transformational impact on Appalachian Kentucky students, their families, and their communities.