Some students at the University of Kentucky are learning about health care inequalities in the medical field through a fellowship.

The purpose of this fellowship is to prepare medical students to care for black patients and underserved population.

We spoke with an official from the College of Medicine and a student undergoing the program to learn more.

Whenever people come in for health care, it could be like the worst day of their life, or it's just a very vulnerable state, usually going in to the doctor or any health care provider.

So knowing that you're in a space where that person actually has your best interest in mind is of the utmost importance.

And unfortunately, a lot of people don't feel.

That it started in recognition of the historical and contemporary health inequities and social inequities experienced by the black community in the United States and also the recognition of our general physician shortage, but especially the physician shortage for the black population that was really originated as a way for our department in the College of Medicine to make a small dent on enhancing the education and training of medical students at the University of Kentucky.

To both understand the, you know, the history and foundation of health inequities and really provide support and training and resources to students to be able to undertake projects that are aimed at addressing those health inequities.

Students in the Fellowship are required to take a course on the history of racism and the impact on the health of black Americans.

The fellows themselves can be from any racial or ethnic background, and I think that's really important because outside of the, you know, the one on one mentorship that they receive from a behavioral science faculty member to undertake the project, they also go through an entire semester course, as I mentioned on the history of some of the disparities.

And also there's content included on some of the solutions to that.

One big thing is through programs like this, people learn not only what's important, but how to advocate for people.

And that comes from things like research and just general knowledge.

And it's very important that not just my generation of physicians learns it, but the older generations as well.

It's all important and it can change the landscape of the way people trust medical providers.

The hope is that students will be inspired to continue training in that area and be able to increase the number of physicians that, you know can be trusted by members of the black population.

The Fellowship last 18 months, and it's for second year medical students.