The Greater Kansas City
Health Professions Pipeway Initiative

The Greater Kansas City Health Professions Pipeway Initiative is an educational program designed to increase minority student participation in the health professions and other science-intensive careers. It originated from "Project 3000 by 2000," an initiative of the Association of American Medical Colleges' to address the continuing under-representation of minority students in medical schools.

The local initiative is a collaboration between the medical schools at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the University of Kansas, with assistance from an extensive community network.

The HPPI targets interested minority students in the third, sixth and ninth grades; provides information and educational resources necessary to accomplish their long-term career goals; and offers guidance in selecting and preparing to follow diverse paths in the health care field that coincide with specific interests and talents.

The HPPI offers an academic enrichment program called Saturday Academy. This program runs concurrently with the academic school year and is open to students in grades 9 through 12 in the metropolitan area. 

Additionally HPPI offers in-school programs with two elementary schools. These programs include: visiting scientists, field experiences, science fairs, and science clubs.

For more information, contact Nedra Bonds, GKC-HPPI Program Coordinator, at (816) 777-2901, or Reaner Shannon, Ph.D., program director and UMKC School of Medicine Associate Dean for Cultural Enhancement and Diversity, at (816) 235-1780.

Participating Schools

Kansas City, Kan., School District

Banneker Science and Math Elementary School

Kansas City, Mo., School District

J.S. Chick Elementary School