Exploring Health Care Pathways: Inspiring the Next Generation of Health Care Professionals at UMMC
By: Porscha Fuller
The Office of Admissions and the Improving Primary Care for the Rural Community through Medical Education (IMPACT the RACE) program has successfully conducted the fourth annual Exploring Health Care Pathways Outreach Program. This initiative continues to provide students with valuable opportunities to explore 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), and basic science research. This program is the first collaboration of all seven health science schools at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC).
Exploring Health Care Pathways consists of a series of half-day informational sessions designed to give students a comprehensive overview of what it takes to pursue a career in health care. Previously, participants rotated through seven sessions, each focusing on a specific health discipline and its corresponding school. This year, the format was updated to allow each school to engage with two groups of students, ensuring a more focused and interactive experience. The 2024-2025 sessions, held in August 2024 and January 2025, collectively reached 208 students, offering them critical exposure to potential careers in health care.
In addition, local colleges and universities participated by hosting admissions and recruitment tables. Recognizing the importance of undergraduate education in healthcare careers, these institutions provided valuable information on academic programs and financial aid options, helping students chart their educational paths.
Exploring Health Care Pathways continues to grow as a platform for inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals and equipping them with the knowledge needed to pursue their dreams. The program's success in reaching over 200 students this year highlights its impact and the growing interest among high school students in healthcare.
The Office of Admissions is planning the next Exploring Healthcare Pathways program for August 2025!