STUDENTS WANTED FOR 1999 PRIMO OPPORTUNITIES

The Southeastern Missouri Area Health Education Center (SEMO AHEC), an affiliate of the Missouri Area Health Education Centers Network (MAHEC) is looking for area junior high and high school students who are interested in primary health care careers to participate in a two or three week summer academy program or a six-to-eight week field internship experience which will give them a head-start on academic courses to prepare them for their primary health care career of choice.

Through a partnership with the Missouri Department of Health, summer PRIMO (Primary Care Resource Initiative for Missouri) Academies focusing on algebra, biology, chemistry, calculus and college preparation are offered throughout Missouri at state universities and college campuses. Students in grades seven through 12 who are interested in a primary care health career are encouraged to call about this scholarship program to explore health career options, boost academic skills and investigate Missouri college and university health science programs.

Primary health care careers include advanced practice nurses (specially trained bachelor's level nurse and nurse practitioners) and primary care physicians, including general pediatrics, family practice, general internal medicine and physician assistants.

MAHEC offers limited PRIMO scholarships through a competitive selection process. The deadline for the 1999 summer PRIMO program applications is January 8, 1999. Eligibility for the PRIMO program is as follows:

Algebra Academy: currently in grade seven, have not previously taken algebra, enrolled in algebra I for the next school year, and a current cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Biology Academy: currently in grade eight, have not previously take biology, enrolled in general biology for the next school year, and a current cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.

Chemistry Academy: currently in grade nine, have taken algebra I and general biology, have not previously taken chemistry, enrolled in general chemistry for the next school year, and a current cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Calculus Academy: currently in grade 11 or 12, have taken (or currently taking) algebra I and II and trigonometry, plan to enroll in college following high school graduation, and a current cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

College Prep Academy: currently in grade 11 or 12, have taken (or currently taking) algebra I, general biology and general chemistry, plan to enroll in college following high school graduation, and a current cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.

Field Internship Experience: designed for students age 16 (by June 1, 1999) who are interested in getting a hands-on learning experience about health careers and health professions by spending 6-8 weeks (32 hours per week) working in a health care facility in or near their hometown and receive a stipend for their experience. Students must have a current cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. Preference is given to previous PRIMO participants.

Additional information and application forms are available at the SEMO AHEC office in Poplar Bluff by calling (573) 785-2444.