Bryan Harmon, a 35-year-old student in the Medical Assistant program at UEI College in Chula Vista, has earned the "Be The Change" scholarship, an honor that holds personal significance for the Chula Vista native. His journey to this achievement highlights his commitment to dismantling healthcare stigmas, promoting racial equality, and creating lasting change in his community.
"I’m amazed, a little overwhelmed," Harmon said shortly after learning he had been selected for the scholarship. "When I saw the announcement, it felt like a calling. I thought, 'This could be me.' I put a lot of time and effort into the essay."
The "Be The Change" scholarship, launched in 2020, empowers UEI students to voice their experiences and commitments to social justice, equality, and human rights. Applicants are required to write an essay describing their encounters with social injustice and their efforts to combat inequality. Harmon's essay was chosen from more than 500 entries by a committee of UEI administrators, instructors, and staff, earning him a full-ride scholarship valued at nearly $15,000.
“I am so grateful to UEI for this honor,” Harmon said. "Today was truly a life-changing moment. I spoke about my family, their struggles, and my journey into healthcare. The barriers for communities of color in healthcare remain very real – even in 2024. I want to use my career in healthcare to make a difference."
In his essay, Harmon noted that systemic inequality in healthcare impacts Black communities disproportionately, with African Americans facing lower life expectancy rates compared to their white counterparts due to barriers in healthcare access and quality. “I want to use my career to be an advocate for healthier, more equitable futures,” he wrote.
Numerous studies and reports support Bryan’s suggestion that there are indeed inequalities in access to healthcare among African Americans and other minorities in both California and the U.S. These disparities manifest in several ways, including access to services, quality of care, and health outcomes. A 2021 report by the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF) found that African Americans, Latinos, and other minority groups in California experience significant barriers to healthcare access. Factors such as socioeconomic status, geographic location, and systemic bias in the healthcare system contribute to disparities. Nationally, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) notes that African Americans and other minorities are disproportionately affected by chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. These health issues are exacerbated by unequal access to quality healthcare services, contributing to higher rates of hospitalizations and deaths in minority populations.
“We were thrilled to learn that Bryan was selected for the ‘Be The Change’ scholarship. He’s an amazing student and a beacon of hope and optimism,” said Serica Martinez-Ervin, Executive Director at UEI College in Chula Vista. “His essay spoke to his vision of a more just, inclusive, and healthier world. This scholarship enables him to continue his studies and break barriers in healthcare, forging a brighter future for the community.”
Harmon’s path to UEI and his scholarship success is one of resilience. After working in youth services, including as a camp director, he faced a series of personal losses that led him to reconsider his career. In 2015, he lost a nephew, which prompted him to step back and refocus on family.
His experience caring for loved ones in hospice inspired a shift toward healthcare. "I knew my energy was meant for helping others," Harmon said. "At 34, I was trying to figure it all out, and when I heard about UEI, it sparked something in me."
Since starting his program, Harmon has achieved honor roll status every month. “Once I made the honor roll that first month, I thought, ‘Okay, I’m getting honor roll every month,’” he said. "It gave me purpose and showed me I could have a career in healthcare."
Looking ahead, Harmon plans to pursue a career as a phlebotomist, with aspirations to eventually become a physician's assistant. “I didn’t realize how many doors would open for me until I took that first step,” he said.
With his scholarship and newfound direction, Harmon is poised to make a lasting impact—not only on his own life but on the lives of those around him.
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