Multilevel Mentorship Prepares Youth for the Oncology Workforce in Appalachian Kentucky

Kentucky faces the highest age-adjusted overall cancer incidence rates and the second highest overall cancer mortality rates in the United States, with the eastern Appalachian Region of the state contributing significantly to this burden. As one of 57 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the country, the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center is Kentucky’s only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. This designation is important for receiving the support necessary to fund programs that can further the cancer research, education, and community outreach opportunities for Kentuckians. The Markey Cancer Center’s Appalachian Career Training in Oncology program, created in 2016, offers cancer research, clinical, outreach, and educational experiences to Appalachian Kentucky high school students and undergraduate students enrolled at the University of Kentucky. The program creates multiple levels of mentorship designed to enrich students’ interest in pursuing a cancer-related career. Mentorship partners include cancer researchers, clinicians, workshop presenters, community members, program staff, and program peers. The program has demonstrated significant success, including a high matriculation rate, numerous student-authored publications, and influential community engagement initiatives. Implications for practice include the potential to implement similar programs for other populations around the country, thus furthering knowledge and fostering passion in underrepresented groups.