Exploring Health Care Pathways: Inspiring high school students to pursue health care careers

The Office of Admissions and the Improving Primary Care for the Rural Community through Medical Education (IMPACT the RACE) is conducting the third annual Exploring Health Care Pathways Outreach Program. The program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn about careers in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, health-related professions (medical laboratory science, radiologic sciences, health administration, health informatics, and information management, medical scribe specialist, occupational therapy, and physical therapy) or basic science research. This program is the first collaboration of all seven UMMC’s health science schools.

Exploring Health Care Pathways is a series of half-day informational sessions. Students have the opportunity to learn more about what it takes to be a health care professional from representatives at The University of Mississippi Medical Center’s seven health science schools. In the past participants rotated through seven sessions, each targeting a specific area of health care and its corresponding school.

This year the program was redesigned. Instead of UMMC traveling around the state to college campuses, we host the event on the UMMC campus, as each school presents to two groups. There are two sessions this year. The first session took place on January 27, 2024, with over 100 participants. Several local colleges and universities hosted admissions/recruitment tables recognizing that many health care careers require a bachelor of science degree. Students were given time to visit the informational tables and ask questions about the undergraduate programs and financial aid options.

In 2023, Health Care Pathways Sessions were held at The University of Mississippi Medical Center, Mississippi University for Women, and Alcorn State University.

The final session for the year will take place on February 24, 2024 on The University of Mississippi Medical Center’s campus.