The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is accepting applications for its Health Career University Program (HCU).
According to UAMS' Division for Academic Pathways and Workforce Partnerships, Health Career University was developed to help junior and senior high school students to undergraduate, graduate, and beyond. The age-appropriate programs help guide students in their next steps for choosing a career in health care.
The mission of the Division for Academic Pathways and Workforce Partnerships is to ensure access to quality healthcare for all Arkansans, including recruiting and training a healthcare workforce that represents the patients served. According to UAMS officials, research supports having providers with different backgrounds and perspectives improves patient outcomes for all groups.
Students from socially disadvantaged, rural, and medically underserved communities and first-generation college graduates are invited to apply to join the HCU Program.
One of the programs within HCU is the Anesthesia Tech Program. It is an educational and work experience designed to foster mentorship and a structured path into medical school for students. The anesthesia tech pipeline program is a partnership between the UAMS Department of Anesthesiology, the UAMS College of Medicine, and universities statewide. Anesthesia Techs work clinically 20-25 hours a week as a part of the anesthesia care team, completing on-the-job training and learning to prepare and maintain equipment for all types of anesthetics. The techs work everywhere that anesthetics are delivered, including operating rooms, labor & delivery units, gastroenterology suites, and radiology areas. An applicant must have research, technical, or work experience in a healthcare-related field, at least 50 hours of community service, a resume, a 3.5 GPA minimum, live in a rural location, have a financial need, have one recommendation, and write an essay. The online application closes on Friday, March 15. The program starts on May 27, 2024, and ends in May 2025.
The HBCU S.U.P.E.R. (Serving Underrepresented Populations through Engagement and Research) Project is an opportunity for undergraduate students to attain a public health foundation and conduct community-based research, focusing on health disparities that impact medically underserved populations in the state. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents ages 18 and older, must have at least a cumulative GPA of 2.75, be a sophomore, junior, or senior, and be enrolled full-time at any 4-year public university in Arkansas. Applications are open from now until Friday, March 15 for the HBCU S.U.P.E.R. Project at UAMS. In this program, participants will learn Public Health foundations and research training, community-engagement research skills and experience, poster presentation experiences, academic writing, and student-primary publications, as well as educate and bring awareness on healthier lifestyles to underserved communities. Research training starts May 27, 2024. The research will be conducted from August 2024 until April 2025. The program ends on May 2, 2025. For more information on the HBCU S.U.P.E.R. Project at UAMS, email SuperProject@uams.edu.
The Summer Research Internship (SRI) is administered by the UAMS Division for Academic Pathways and Workforce Partnerships. The SRI provides high school juniors, seniors, and college students who are interested in pursuing careers in research and healthcare the opportunity to expand their knowledge and understanding by conducting science-based research. The students' participation will include an in-person experience conducting research of their interest with an assigned mentor. Limited UAMS campus housing is available. While in the program, students will research, mentor, network, strengthen knowledge on various scientific research topics, receive responsible conduct of research training, enhance leadership skills, and receive stipends. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, classified as a rising high school junior, senior, or college undergraduate, have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, and must be in pursuit of a research or healthcare-related career. There is a nonrefundable $25 application fee which must be paid with a Money order or Cashier Check when the application is submitted. Applications are due Friday, March 15. The program begins May 27, 2024, and ends July 26, 2024.
The Pre-Health Scholars Program (PHSP) is administered by the UAMS Division for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The PHSP helps provide local freshman and sophomore college students interested in healthcare the opportunity to expand their knowledge and understanding of various healthcare-related career fields and professions. PHSP students will learn about medical and public health interventions and innovations, collaborate with leaders in the healthcare industry, and be exposed to cutting-edge technology that is currently used in professional training and laboratory experiments. The program includes simulated clinical experiences, an introduction to the Public Health Module, Medical Interventions Module, and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) demonstrations. Students will receive a stipend at the end of the program, be exposed to healthcare careers and preparation Curriculum Vitae (CV) coaching, and weekly "Lunch and Learn" opportunities with professional faculty. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, a rising college freshman or sophomore, have at least a 2.75 GPA, be in pursuit of a healthcare-related career, and have strong Arkansas ties. The program site will be in Little Rock. The online application closes on Friday, March 15, 2024. The program starts on May 27, 2024, and ends on June 28, 2023.
The UAMS Pathology Tech Program is an educational and paid work experience designed to foster mentorship and a structured path into healthcare-related careers. The one-year program includes mentorship, standardized admission test preparation, application development, interview preparation, and part-time professional work experience as a Pathology Tech with on-the-job training. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, graduate college by June 30, 2024, have at least a 3.0 GPA, must be pursuing a healthcare-related career, and have strong Arkansas ties. The application deadline is March 15, 2024. For more information, email healthcareeru@uams.edu.
To apply for any of the HCU Programs, click here.