For more than 20 years, Medica has partnered with the University of Minnesota to make transformative investments in community health. From funding health sciences scholarships for students to a partnership with the University of Minnesota Medical School’s Center of American Indian and Minority Health, Medica has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to advancing health equity and training the next generation of health care leaders.

Partnership by the numbers

• Investing in students: more than 600 medical, social work, and public health students supported through scholarships
• Connecting Native youth: more than 70 Native youth from White Earth Nation and the surrounding community introduced to health career professionals and experiences
• U of M entities: 14 distinct colleges, offices, and centers have received grant support
• Recruitment: more than 1,094 U of M alumni are current or past Medica employees

Why it matters

“Medica believes strong partnerships are the foundation of meaningful change in health care. By working together with institutions like the University of Minnesota, we expand access, foster innovation, and support the next generation of health care professionals. This partnership demonstrates Medica‘s mission – to bettering lives with care in the moments that matter.

-JoAnne M Birkholz, Executive Director, Foundation & Community Giving

Program highlights

Health sciences student scholarships

Medica and the University of Minnesota have partnered over the past 18 years to increase representation in the health sciences by providing resources to communities facing public health disparities. This initiative helped foster long-term relationships between community-based organizations and the U, while also supporting U of M students from underrepresented backgrounds through scholarships as they pursue health-related careers.

Over the years, the recipients of these scholarships have shown tremendous academic promise, professional commitment to community service, maturity, adaptability, and respect for cultural diversity. Medica-funded scholarships have supported hundreds of medical, public health, and social work students—more than 150 in the past two years alone.

“Receiving this scholarship is not just a financial relief, but also a tremendous encouragement for me as I pursue my passion for social work. [Medica’s] belief in my potential and dedication to making a positive impact on society reaffirms my commitment to this field.

—Ava Lam, social work student and scholarship recipient

Minnesota Indigenous Health and Workforce Initiative

In 2023, through a transformative partnership with Medica, the U of M Medical School’s Center of American Indian and Minority Health (CAIMH) began partnering with the Indian Health Service (IHS) and White Earth Nation to create the Minnesota Indigenous Health and Workforce Initiative. Together, the group aims to address health disparities facing Native American communities by developing education for faculty, students, future medical residents, and trainees that helps them better understand the health needs and perspectives of the White Earth community.

The Minnesota Indigenous Health and Workforce Initiative also has goals to increase the number of Native youth entering health professions and increase the state’s representation of Native people in the health workforce. Central to this has been the development and implementation of curricula focused on Anishinaabe health teachings for White Earth youth, taught in a holistic way that stays true to Native identity while encouraging the pursuit of a health science career.

“I want to see graduation rates go up, I want to see Native youth become medical students and providers. Support from Medica is allowing us to work on a much bigger scale.”

—Miinanikwe, Megan Lhotka, Native American Pathways Program Community Liaison and White Earth resident

 

“Support from Medica has helped ensure that our students have the opportunity to pursue their studies with diminished financial burden. I am grateful for our partnership with Medica, which represents our shared commitment to preparing the next generation of public health leaders who are positioned for impact.”

-Melinda Pettigrew, Dean, School of Public Health