Eighty high school students were awarded certificates of completion by the U’s Health Professions Academy on Tuesday morning. The completion ceremony in the Marriott Library’s Gould Auditorium was a collaborative effort of Salt Lake City School District and the U’s Health Sciences Center.
Several students spoke about their experiences during the program, which introduces high school students to health sciences opportunities and careers. The sessions include interactive classes and hands-on experience with health professionals. The high school students were honored for their year-long participation in the academy.
The program began in 1999 with 235 students who have participated so far. Of these students, about 30 percent are from ethnically diverse backgrounds, and more than 29 percent come from economically disadvantaged households. Students in their first year of the program take anatomy and physiology classes at the U once a week. They are also introduced to a variety of health professions and careers in lectures, followed by hands-on experiences in the laboratory, hospital and pharmacy.
After completing the first year, students can choose to continue and earn university credit. Courses that focus on a variety of topics from cultural diversity to midwifery are given twice a week.
Between 80 and 100 students participate in the academy each year, according to Jackie Smith, clinical associate professor in the College of Nursing who helps oversee the academy.
It’s rare that anyone drops out because it’s part of their MAP (Medical Anatomy and Physiology) classes at their high schools. The second-year class gets two semester hours of college credit for taking the Health Professions Seminar, which included 10 students this year, the first year there has been a second-year class.
Currently, the academy is run by arrangement with the Salt Lake School District only. Other school districts participate in similar U programs.
“The nice thing about the academy program is that it gives the students university exposure and pushes them to be college-bound,” Smith said. “It also helps them decide to move into health careers and helps them understand what it takes to enroll at the U.”