FORT SMITH — The Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM) recently received a seed grant from the National Board of Medical Examiners to expand the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education’s (ACHE) Mentoring and Achievement Preparation (M.A.P.) Program. The expansion officially launched in August.
The M.A.P. Program was created to address disparities in access to health education by educating, encouraging, equipping, and engaging college students from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds. Originally focused on those exploring careers in occupational therapy (OT) or physical therapy (PT), the program now includes college students interested in becoming Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). This expansion aims to build a more inclusive, compassionate healthcare workforce and help reduce health disparities in the communities that need it most.
During their time in the program, participants took part in a variety of valuable opportunities, including academic leadership and learning strategy sessions, classroom experiences in medical biochemistry, osteopathic principles, and foundations of osteopathic patient care, as well as guidance on MCAT preparation. Each participant was also paired with a faculty and student mentor, creating a strong support network to help them navigate their path toward a career in osteopathic medicine.
“That’s one of the things we’re so excited about. It’s reassuring that the ACHE mission works,” said Christopher Smith, Ed.D., ACHE Assistant Provost & Director of DEI. “It’s also a sign of the success we’ll continue to see within the M.A.P. program.”
To learn more or get involved, email map@achehealth.edu or visit achehealth.edu/ache-map-program.
