UMHS Medical Student Nihal Satyadev Wins International Recognition from The National Academy of Medicine's Inaugural Healthy Longevity Catalyst Awards
Innovative Student From Top-rated Caribbean Medical School Awarded $50,000 In Seed Money To Further Develop Care Corps USA - An Ambitious Project to Establish Elder Care as a National Service Program
NEW YORK, Oct. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS), a small, mission-driven medical school with a commitment to student support and a legacy of successful residency placements in the United States and Canada, today announced that second-year medical student Nihal Satyadev was named one of the 2020 winners of the National Academy of Medicine's Healthy Longevity Catalyst Awards. The recognition from NAM is part of the Healthy Longevity Global Competition, a multiyear, multimillion-dollar international competition seeking breakthrough innovations to improve physical, mental, and social well-being for people as they age. Satyadev's winning submission for the first round of the competition earned him $50,000 in seed money to further develop Care Corps USA, a national service program that recruits recent high school and college graduates to work as caregivers to older adults with dementia.
Sponsored by The National Academy of Medicine (NAM), the Healthy Longevity Catalyst Awards represent the first round in the Healthy Longevity Global Competition, a project focused on extending the human healthspan by accelerating research, innovation, and entrepreneurism. Entries are judged for novelty and advancement of solutions related to aging. Nearly 600 applications were submitted for the U.S.-based Catalyst Award competition, and Satyadev's entry, "Care Corps USA – A National Service Model Addressing the Aging Sector Workforce," was one of 21 finalists to earn the $50,000 prize to support further development of his innovative concept.
UMHS student Satyadev co-founded Care Corps with the vision of creating a national program where recent high school and college graduates would commit to providing one to two years of full-time respite care for older adults with dementia. Modeled after programs like AmeriCorps, Care Corps participants would earn a stipend and educational grants in exchange for their service. Satyadev's pioneering concept provides a creative solution to workforce shortages by generating a graduate-to-labor pipeline and offers critical relief to millions of family caregivers nationwide — many of whom are overwhelmed and suffering from depression. Additionally, Care Corps would enable many family caregivers to re-enter the workforce without having to sacrifice income to qualify for Medicaid-funded home care. By creating a national network where volunteers would work within their neighborhoods, Care Corps also helps to build connections, reduce isolation, and promote the overall well-being of communities.
"We are incredibly proud of Nihal and his remarkable achievements," said Warren Ross, president of UMHS. "Nihal has distinguished himself as a pathfinder at UMHS and is always looking for creative solutions to challenges. Naturally curious, bright, and deeply empathetic, Nihal represents what our school is all about - developing compassionate physicians and leading through excellence."
As a second-year student at the Caribbean medical school, Satyadev serves as one of five media ambassadors developing content for the school's social media and blog, The UMHS Endeavour. Satyadev also hosts the UMHS podcast "Dextrocardia," featuring interviews with fellow medical students, medical school faculty, and medical practitioners on everything from how to succeed in medical school, to fighting racial inequality in medicine and how medical students are working in the Black Lives Matter movement.
Following his Healthy Longevity Catalyst Award win, Satyadev is currently focused on expanding Care Corps and developing evaluation metrics for the program. Satyadev noted, "With this model, we have the opportunity to meet the needs of our aging population in a way that prepares our country for the future."
Next up in the Healthy Longevity Global Competition is the second cycle of the Catalyst Phase, which opens in early 2021 with the "Accelerator Phase." Along with the other 2020 award winners, Satyadev will be eligible to apply for awards worth $300,000 to $1 million. Starting in 2023, winners of the Accelerator Phase are eligible to submit entries for the grand prize of up to $5 million.
"We're excited to follow Nihal on this journey as he continues to act as a trailblazer and champion for elder care in our communities," added Ross.
To learn more about Care Corps and Nihal Satyadev's winning entry for NAM's Healthy Longevity Catalyst Awards, please visit https://www.umhs-sk.org/blog/umhs-student-nihal-satyadev-wants-to-start-an-americorps-for-elder-care
About UMHS
The University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS), is a small, mission-driven medical school with a commitment to student support and a legacy of successful residency placements in the United States and Canada. UMHS was founded in 2007 by medical education pioneers Warren and Robert Ross to deliver a highly personalized school experience. Graduates of UMHS earn a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) and qualify to practice medicine throughout the United States and Canada. Students begin their Basic Science studies in St. Kitts, West Indies, and complete their clinical training in the United States. With an unprecedented 96% student retention rate, the vast majority of students that begin their medical studies at UMHS go on to obtain residencies. For more information visit https://www.umhs-sk.org/.
SOURCE University of Medicine and Health Sciences, St. Kitts
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