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While Carlos Delgado is preparing for a future in sports medicine or physical therapy – fields where he wants to build professional connections, research experience and strong communication skills – he’s also pursuing a dream: playing Major League Baseball.

This fall, when Delgado enters his senior year at Paine College in Augusta, Georgia, he’ll have built those skills – and kept both goals in play.

He’s one of 65 undergraduates in the latest class of the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Scholars Program. Now in its 11th year and with more than 500 alumni, the program continues to prepare the next generation of leaders in science, medicine and public health while expanding opportunities for students from under-resourced communities.

Building future health leaders

With help from a professional mentor, Delgado co-authored a study of a program that helps juvenile offenders and their families cope with traumatic experiences associated with long-term health problems. In May, he presented the findings to medical experts and professional researchers at the program’s Research Symposium in Atlanta – and walked away with a growing collection of business cards and phone numbers.

“It was super helpful,” Delgado, 22, said of his experience as an Association Scholar. “Not only does it help you connect with people you've never met before, but it also allowed me to get out of my shell.”

Key to the mission is pairing the Scholars –both undergraduates and graduate students – with mentors who guide them through hands-on research and community projects aimed at improving health outcomes.

Delgado, part of a Cuban family from the Miami area, is the first Scholar from Paine, a small, historically Black liberal arts college.

Dr. Ala’Torya V. Cranford, Paine’s vice president for student success, said she’s proud of Delgado for taking advantage of the Scholars program’s opportunities. They included attending a Heart Association medical research conference in New Orleans and doing research with Dr. Karen A. Johnson, an associate professor in the University of Georgia’s School of Social Work.

“It really opened his eyes,” Cranford said.

Cranford said it’s important for students from underrepresented communities to explore cardiovascular research and medicine to help them bring health messages to their communities.

Cardiovascular disease “doesn’t have a skin color or type,” said Cranford, who lost her father and an aunt to stroke, and a great grandparent, two uncles and another aunt to heart disease.

Balancing college baseball and research demands

Delgado, a biology major, said he initially hesitated to apply for the Scholars program. He didn’t feel a particularly close connection to cardiovascular issues. Though he’d grown up with a heart arrhythmia – an irregular heartbeat – it hadn’t affected his life beyond leading him to limit his caffeine and energy drink intake.

He also worried about committing to eight hours of research weekly on top of his course load and more than 40 hours a week of baseball practice, weight training and travel to games.

“I was a little scared,” Delgado said. “But usually when I'm afraid of something, that means I should go for it because opportunities like this don't come along a lot.”

Delgado and Johnson analyzed a program that aims to help juvenile offenders and their families who have experienced or witnessed trauma, such as violence at home. Research has linked adverse childhood experiences with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and other long-term physical and mental health problems.

He and Johnson met virtually for one to two hours a week to discuss his work coding transcripts of interviews with study subjects into data. Because their findings would be considered for publication, Delgado needed to be exact and thorough. Johnson also taught him accountability.

When he once told her that he hadn’t finished that week’s research work because of travel for a baseball game, she nudged him gently. “Last week you kind of said the same thing,” she said.

“It was a reality check, like ‘Oh, I need to get certain things done,’” Delgado said. “It also taught me that if I’m going to do something, I have to do it 100%.”

In November, at the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ’s annual Scientific Sessions in New Orleans, he listened to as researchers presented their findings. He also made it a point to collect business cards from everyone he met.

“Those connections [can help with] job opportunities,” he said.

Turning opportunity into a future in health

Delgado expects to stay in touch with his fellow Scholars, particularly two who are now close friends, as they begin their professional lives.

He encourages other students to consider applying to the Scholars program, even if they feel uncertain about their plans. It’s made him more confident about a possible healthcare career – in case his dream of playing professional baseball doesn’t pan out.

“You’ve got to take leaps of faith,” Delgado said, “even if you're afraid.”

Carlos took advantage of a program that’s developing the next generation of health and science leaders. Applications for the next ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Scholars Program class are now open for undergraduates. Graduate students can email [email protected] to learn more. Health professionals are invited to share their expertise by becoming a Scholars mentor and help shape future leaders.