The relationship that HSTA had built within the communities meant that the residents felt comfortable with the researchers and were more willing to answer survey questions . While the HSTA students gathered responses from across the state of West Virginia , they also educated themselves and their communities about proper osteoarthritis care .
Participating in studies like this partnership with Dartmouth College provides HSTA students with valuable experience . When students finish this program , they are better equipped to attend and complete college , and their tuition is waived at any West Virginia state-supported college or university or health profession school through a PhD or MD level . This enables them to complete intensive education programs without the burden of tuition debt .
From 1998 through 2014 , more than 2,000 HSTA students — 80 % of whom are women — graduated from the program and went on to attend college and major in STEM ( science , technology , engineering , and math ) fields at much higher rates than the general state or national populations . Of the HSTA students who graduated with a four-year degree or higher , 64 % have gone into health and other STEM majors . The program has already yielded medical doctors , osteopaths , dentists , pharmacists , audiologists , psychologists , physical therapists , optometrists , and physician ’ s assistants . Many of these successful students may not have attended college at all without HSTA supporting their development and goals . Even better , 90 % of HSTA graduates decide to remain at home , often in the very communities that helped make their education possible .
To say that this program is ground-breaking is an understatement . HSTA is changing how students can immerse themselves in training for a profession , how people in rural communities view health care professionals and researchers , and how researchers can connect with communities to quickly learn about and address health issues . Most importantly , it ’ s changing how young women view their strengths and ability to achieve and impact the world .
For more information about HSTA or partnership , please contact Dr . Ann Chester at achester @ hsc . wvu . edu or 1-304-293-1026 . n
Cori Wamsley , owner of Cori Wamsley Writing Services , performs writing and editing for businesses and authors , blogs about effective communications to help other authors and entrepreneurs at www . coriwamsley . com , and presents about her experience as a professional writer . Cori also wrote and self-published six fiction books , credited as “ Cori Nicole Smith .” Follow her on Twitter at CoriWamsley , Facebook at Cori Nicole Smith Wamsley , and Pinterest at Cori Wamsley Writing Services for inspiration and writing and editing tips .
Photo : WVU
Dr . Ann Chester , the Woman Behind HSTA When Chester ’ s seventh grade test scores were misinterpreted , she was mistakenly placed in a class for low achievers . Now being told that she was “ not college material ,” despite her previous ambitions , she began earning D ’ s instead of A ’ s . Thanks to her concerned mother , her placement was corrected , and Chester returned to the class for high achievers . She eventually recovered from the self-doubt and regained her academic performance , but she never forgot the lesson this mix-up taught her . Chester began HSTA with the belief that low expectations — not lack of ability — prevent many students from achieving . Treating students at any level like they are worthy and capable provides them the means to realize their own potential and accept the challenge of working toward success . When students who may not be expected to do well are given the opportunity , encouragement , and support they need , they can excel in school and post-secondary education , leading them to successful careers .