ATSU, NACHC name Hometown Scholars Advocate of the Year recipient
Posted: August 19, 2016
A.T. Still University (ATSU) and the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) have named Healthcare for the Homeless Houston (HHH) as the recipient of the Juan Carlos Olivares Hometown Scholars Advocate of the Year Award.
Hometown Scholars, a program which matriculates community-minded, culturally proficient health professions applicants, was developed in collaboration between ATSU and NACHC. The goal is to encourage community health centers, like HHH, to identify, mentor, and endorse aspiring healers who are devoted to becoming a community healthcare leader.
HHH was selected based upon their long-term and continual commitment to preparing future healthcare leaders. They have mentored many aspiring physicians, dentists, and physician assistants over the years, 19 of whom have been endorsed as Hometown Scholars candidates. NACHC and ATSU applaud HHH’s commitment to preparing compassionate, community-minded health professions applicants.
Juan Carlos Olivares, CEO of Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic was the first to endorse an candidate. The individual he endorsed was from a farm-working family and was ultimately accepted to A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health in 2006.
However, the future dentist quietly abandoned his dream of dental school due to lack of funds needed to make the move to ATSU-ASDOH in Mesa. When Olivares discovered the applicant’s dilemma, he intervened and loaned the needed funds. Upon graduation the mentee returned to work in Yakima also recruiting a dental peer to that underserved community.
The annual award is given, each winter, by ATSU and the association during NACHC’s Policy & Issues Forum. Healthcare for the Homeless Houston is the ninth recipient of this award, first presented to Olivares in 2008.