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Appalachian Career Training in Oncology (ACTION) Program

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Overview

The Markey Cancer Center (MCC) has established a new educational pipeline program: the MCC Appalachian Career Training in Oncology (ACTION) Program. First established as the Career Training in Oncology Program (CTOP) in 2016, the program offers Appalachian Kentucky high school and undergraduate students enrolled at the University of Kentucky the opportunity to gain cancer research, clinical, outreach and education experiences that will enrich their interest in pursuing a cancer-focused career.

Notice for Saturday Session students: Because the ACTION Program does not provide transportation to UK’s campus for monthly meetings, you may drive your vehicle to campus if you meet the following requirements/conditions. Download the ACTION Driving Contract to provide your information.

For more information on the ACTION Program's goals, cohorts and news, visit the pages below:

  • Eligibility

    To be eligible for the program, students must be one of the following:

    • Enrolled in a high school within Appalachian Kentucky as a freshman or sophomore beginning in August 2022

    • A current 12th grade student at a high school within Appalachia Kentucky accepted as an incoming freshman for the fall 2021 semester at the University of Kentucky.

    • A current University of Kentucky freshman, sophomore or junior.

    View our map to see which counties are eligible for prospective ACTION Program students.

  • Apply

    Please find application forms and details for application windows below.

    • Undergraduate applications are available now and are due April 3, 2021.  Interviews for those applicants will take place in April and candidates will be notified of admission decisions by May 1.
    • High school applications will be available in July 2022.

    Application Forms and Recommendations

  • Key dates

    Please take note of the key ACTION Program dates for high school participants below.

    ACTION Program Academic Year Sessions 2020-2021

    Monthly Saturday Sessions

    • October 3
    • November 21
    • December 5
    • January 16
    • February 20
    • March 13
    • April 24

    * Unless special times are announced, monthly sessions will begin at 10am and end by 4pm.

    Summer Residential Program Dates

    • May 29 (Move-In Day)
    • July 2 (Move Out Day/Closing Ceremony)

  • ACTION Program Badge

    program badge

    Participants that complete the ACTION Program will be awarded an ACTION Program Completion Badge. This digital badge signifies the totality of participants’ work in the program and their preparedness to address the cancer disparities in Appalachian Kentucky by pursuing cancer-related careers and conducting impactful community outreach to enhance cancer awareness across the region.   

    Upon completion of the program, Chris Prichard will email participants a final survey to complete followed by downloads of the digital badge for personal and professional use.