Scholarships
The Foundation also used funds raised to grant scholarships to medical students and nursing students. These scholarships often provided the funds needed for critical things beyond just tuition such as books or the costs needed for the tests required to become licensed. The scholarships exist to help battle the economic barrier that can exist to pursuing these careers. To contribute towards the Foundation’s scholarship fund, Click Here or become a Monthly or Yearly Donor. The scholarship application period will open this month, we are offering up to 3 scholarships for $3000. Click to Learn More
Future Doctors, Nurses and Healthcare Professionals
In 1998, the Chicago Reporter released an in-depth analysis that brought to light the severe shortage of African American physicians in the Chicagoland area. The study revealed that while blacks make up the large majority of Chicago’s population, only 7 percent of the city’s physicians are black. According to data from AAMC Medical School Enrollment roughly 8% of applicants to medical school and 7% of enrollees are African-American while making up 13% of the U.S. population. Today, the number of African American males graduating from medical school remains behind other groups and, sadly, is declining. According to a 2013 survey, nurses from minority backgrounds represent only 19% of the registered workforce.
African-American’s suffer a great disparity in health outcomes from deaths from cancer to poor control of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. The shortage of African-American physicians affects this disparity. Black physicians are more likely to serve in underserved areas and studies show that when patients have a physician or nurse of the same race, there is improved compliance and patient satisfaction.
Support for Pipeline Programs
Since it’s inception, the Provident Foundation focused most of its efforts on preserving and maintaining the legacy of Dr. Daniel Hale Williams. The Foundation subsequently turned their attention to the future of medicine by focusing on future doctors, future nurses and healthcare professionals.
Initially, this was through clubs at inner-city high schools to help mentor students interested in pursuing careers in the health field. This year, The Provident Foundation funded HPREP at the University of Chicago, a high school enrichment program that encourages youth to pursue careers in medicine. Through our grant, HPREP doubled the number of participants and, for the first time, served students from high-need neighborhoods on Chicago’s South Side. We are continuing to find partners with universities to help develop and fund these programs and welcome support to help us provide funds to these programs. Every $100 raised, allows an additional student to participate in HPREP.
Medical Miracles
This exhibition showcases the history and remarkable legacy of Provident Hospital. Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, who performed the first open heart surgery in 1893, founded Provident Hospital & Training School on the south side of Chicago in 1891.
For more than a century Provident Hospital survived as a private community facility serving those in need of healthcare. Through two World Wars, race riots and national epidemics, thousands of Chicagoans were treated within its walls.
The exhibit was created by the Provident Foundation and made its debut October 20, 2001at the DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago. It is currently housed at Chciago State University under partnership with the foundation
This year, we educated hundreds about Provident Hospital and the seminal achievements of Dr. Daniel Hale Williams. We hosted two exhibits of our rare collection of artifacts, and several of our photographs were added to the National Academy of Sciences’ African American History Program biography of Dr. Williams. If you are interested in prints of our photographs or use of our photographs please contact us. Also bring the Medical Miracles Gallery
Baby Club
WERE YOU BORN AT PROVIDENT HOSPITAL? IF YES, WE ARE LOOKING FOR YOU!
In an effort to keep the legacy of Provident Hospital alive, the Provident Foundation embarked on a mission to search for all babies born at Provident Hospital from its founding in 1891 until it closed in 1987. Special recognition is awarded to individuals born at the historic hospital. Although we welcome everyone’s involvement, membership is limited to persons born during the Hospital’s history who want to be part of its living legacy.
If YOU or someone you know was born at Provident Hospital, please let us know. Upon receipt of your information, we will send a complimentary ‘Baby Club Certificate’ and add the name to the Baby Club database. Send mail to: The Provident Foundation 1525 E. 53rd St. Chicago, IL 60615 Attn: Baby Club Email: providentfoundation@gmail.com