As vulnerable communities across the country continue to face health disparities, the American Heart Association remains more committed than ever to advancing equitable health for everyone, everywhere.
Pamela Garmon Johnson
National Senior Vice President, Healthy Living & NextGen Programs, The American Heart Association
Health disparities in the United States are deeply rooted, and addressing them requires investing in education and diversifying the medical profession. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, Black Americans represent only 5% of the physician workforce, despite comprising about 13% of the U.S. population.
This imbalance may limit access to culturally competent care, which is essential for improving health in under-resourced communities. Studies have shown that Black patients often experience better health outcomes when treated by Black physicians. This underscores the need to cultivate the next generation of diverse healthcare leaders who can close these gaps and help improve the health of all communities.
A new generation of healthcare leaders
One way the American Heart Association is addressing this gap is through its Scholars Program. The latest class of Scholars are from Historically Black Colleges and Universities or Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and are participants of the Association’s Empowered to Serve initiative. Empowered to Serve is a platform inspired by American Heart Association volunteers around the country who are passionate about driving systemic change and empowerment in their communities.
Communities need localized solutions, and no one knows the changes needed in a community as well as the community itself. The Empowered to Serve initiative represents a pivotal step in how the American Heart Association is investing in the future of public health by focusing on those who can make the most impact — young, passionate, and driven leaders from diverse backgrounds.
At the American Heart Association, we believe these Scholars embody the type of change needed to address the systemic inequities that have long plagued marginalized and vulnerable communities. The American Heart Association recognizes the need to improve the overall health outcomes for everyone, everywhere. We must bridge the gap between community health and clinical care, and the best way to do that is by empowering local individuals who truly understand their local communities’ needs.
Equipping tomorrow’s healthcare leaders for success
This next generation of American Heart Association Scholars will be equipped with the skills and tools needed to advocate for change, reduce disparities, and champion healthier lives for all.
A key focus of this initiative is building communities and enhancing the delivery of clinical care — an essential step in improving access to healthcare services. It’s not just about treating illness but also about preventing it by ensuring individuals have the knowledge and resources needed to make informed health decisions. By fostering trusting relationships between health professionals and the local communities they serve, the American Heart Association is working to make this vision a reality.
The Scholars program is generously supported in part by Quest Diagnostics Foundation and its Quest for Health Equity Initiative. Quest’s dedication to supporting equitable health aligns strategically with the Association’s goals, allowing us to provide critical resources and mentorship by assigning an accomplished medical expert to each of our Scholars, ensuring that each Scholar will succeed.
The program is about more than just academic training — it’s about real-world application. The American Heart Association Scholars engage in hands-on experiences, from staffing community-based projects to conducting research, and in so identifying and addressing the specific health challenges their local regions face. By empowering them with practical knowledge, the Association is helping prepare these future leaders to consider and design culturally relevant public health interventions that will meaningfully stick with the populations they will serve.
Creating a better, healthier tomorrow
The American Heart Association believes achieving equitable health isn’t just aspirational — it’s a fundamental necessity if lives are to be saved. Health disparities don’t just harm individuals; they weaken entire communities. Attacking these gaps requires trust and collaboration among and with health professionals, local public and private organizations, and community leaders. By training and empowering these Scholars, the American Heart Association is leading by example.
The American Heart Association is proud to welcome its new class of Scholars and looks forward to watching them grow as leaders. Utilizing mentorship, workshops, and professional networking opportunities, the Association is committed to giving them the support they need to become effective advocates for equitable health — for everyone, everywhere.
The American Heart Association’s historic commitment to equitable health remains clear: The Association is committed to building a future where everyone, everywhere has access to the care they need — and, ultimately, to a world of longer, healthier lives. This new class of American Heart Association Scholars is critical to the realization of that vision. Together, a healthier, more equitable world is under construction, built one community at a time.
For more information about the American Heart Association Scholars Program and the other initiatives driving the Association’s mission, please visit heart.org/scholars.
