Kaiser Family Foundation Selects 15 as 2006 Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars

Washington, D.C. - The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation today named 15 college students and recent graduates as the 2006 participants in the Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars Program. Operated in partnership with Howard University, the program provides talented African American, Latino, Native American, and Asian/Pacific Islander college students the opportunity to work for a summer in Washington, D.C. in congressional offices with major health policy responsibilities.

“The Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars Program helps develop the next generation of health policy leadership in this country. Supporting and nurturing their interest in health policy is vital to the future of healthcare in this country, and we are pleased to be a part of that process,” Kaiser Family Foundation President and CEO Drew Altman said. “No one would demand more of these young leaders, but no one would be more proud of their accomplishments than Barbara Jordan.”

The Kaiser Family Foundation established the Scholars Program to honor the legacy of former U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, who was the first African American elected to Congress from Texas and a much-admired member of the Foundation’s board of trustees. For nine weeks, the Scholars work in congressional offices. As part of their Washington experience, each scholar writes and presents a health policy research paper. In addition, the Scholars participate in seminars and site visits which augment their knowledge of health care issues. These opportunities provide them with the chance to gain first-hand knowledge of the federal legislative process and health policy issues; to understand how policymakers can better meet the health needs of traditionally underserved populations; and to sharpen their ability to think critically and provide leadership. During their stay in Washington, D.C., the Scholars reside on the campus of Howard University.

More information about the Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars Program is available online.

This summer's 15 scholars are:

Tracie Bryant Hometown: Altadena, CA School: Stanford University Major: Human Biology Placement: Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)		Jennifer Drake Hometown:  St. Louis, MO School: Truman State University Major: Biology Placement: Senate Health, Education, Pensions, and Labor (HELP)
Vanessa Edwards Hometown: Brooklyn, NY School: University of Pittsburgh Major: Health Information Management Placement: Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME)		Ghideon Ezaz Hometown: Richland, MS School: Washington University Major: Biomedical Engineering Placement: Rep. Donna Christensen (D-VI)
Jocelyn Garcia Hometown: Miami, FL School: University of Miami Major: Biology & Religious Studies Placement: Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO)		Ramon Gomez Hometown: Providence, RI School: Providence College Major: Political Science Placement: Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA)
Andrea Hall Hometown: Pendelton, OR School: Washington State University Major: Sociology & Women's Studies Placement: Del. Eleanor Homes Norton (D-DC)		Steven Lewis Hometown: Springfield, VA School: Morehouse College Major: Biology Placement:   Rep. John Lewis (D-GA)
Eva Martineau Hometown: Brooklyn, NY School: Fordham University Major: Public Health Placement: Rep. Charles Rangel (D- NY)		Phillip Murray Hometown: Hinesville, GA School: Howard University Major: Biology Placement: Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR)
Ryan Petteway Hometown: Steubenville, OH School: University Of Virginia Major: African American Studies & Biology Placement: Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)		Aisha Rivera Hometown: Kissimmee, FL School: University Of South Florida Major: Microbiology Placement: Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH)
Jaymee Ruiz Hometown:  Miami, FL School:  Florida International University Major: Psychology & Health Services Adm. Placement:  Rep. Hilda Solis (D-CA)		Evan  Russell Hometown: Pawtucket, RI School: Brown University Major: Neuroscience Placement: Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL)
Candace Watts Hometown: Albuquerque, NM School: Hampton University Major: Nursing Placement: Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM)