KC STEM Alliance, UMKC earn $2.5M grant

September 29, 2015  |  Bobby Burch

Healthcare

A multi-million dollar grant will aim to boost diversity in Kansas City’s healthcare workforce.

KC STEM Alliance and the UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies recently received a $2.5 million grant. The funds will create KC HealthTracks to introduce more low-income and minority students to healthcare careers. KC STEM Alliance works to bolster area science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.

“This is an incredible opportunity to help students think beyond traditional entry-level jobs in healthcare and develop a pipeline of academically ready students who can diversify our healthcare workforce,” Laura Loyacono, executive director of KC STEM Alliance, said in a release.

The grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, assists students in 11 high schools from seven Kansas City-area school districts preparing for college and careers in biomedical sciences. Students in the KC HealthTracks program will have access to improved STEM curriculum, mentors, college campus visits, extensive lab experiences, tutoring and ACT preparation.

startland-tip-jar

TIP JAR

Did you enjoy this post? Show your support by becoming a member or buying us a coffee.

Tagged , , ,
Featured Business
    Featured Founder

      2015 Startups to Watch

        stats here

        Related Posts on Startland News

        LISTEN: Startup bites into early cancer detection for dogs

        By Tommy Felts | August 11, 2025

        On this episode of Startland News’ new Plug and Play Topeka founder podcast series, we meet Preston Williams — founder of ProPetDx — whose company is giving veterinarians a powerful new way to detect disease in pets before symptoms appear. From the spark of an idea to building high-definition diagnostics, our guest shares how science, data,…

        Advocates push Latino entrepreneurs to urgent action in the face of ‘innovation churn,’ civil rights challenges

        By Tommy Felts | August 8, 2025

        Latino entrepreneurs are a powerful force in America’s economy, leaders emphasized Thursday from the UnidosUS stage, but systemic barriers continue to keep many from achieving financial freedom, they lamented. “Our superpower is an entrepreneurial spirit,” said Ruby Azurdia-Lee, president and CEO of Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio (CLUES), speaking during the UnidosUS Annual Conference’s closing…

        River Market’s iconic ‘Trolley Tom’ reopening with grab-and-go deli menu, specialty cocktails

        By Tommy Felts | August 8, 2025

        A new grab-and-go eatery is rolling into River Market, filling a hole left when Donutology shuttered operations inside “Trolley Tom” — the circa 1947 Kansas City streetcar permanently parked at 426 Delaware in the popular retail and entertainment district. Car No. 551 is scheduled to open by mid-September with deli offerings and and drinks by…

        KC on top: Hat maker’s best-seller spotted on ‘GMA,’ ‘Ted Lasso’ as brand shapes its national profile

        By Tommy Felts | August 8, 2025

        Sandlot Goods wears the spotlight well, said Thomas McIntyre, noting each high-profile media close up of its signature dad hat is another step toward establishing Kansas City’s only hat manufacturer as a national brand. After being featured on the “Made In America Christmas” segment of ABC World News Tonight with David Muir, Sandlot was again…