Utah Health Scholars

The mission of the Utah Health Scholars Program (UHS) is to empower and cultivate the next generation of healthcare leaders. We are committed to providing an exceptional educational experience, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Our approach encompasses a comprehensive and diverse curriculum, mentorship, and hands-on experiences, all tailored to equip our scholars with the essential knowledge, skills, and compassion required to meet the ever-evolving challenges in healthcare. Fueled by an unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and community engagement, we aim to create a profound and positive influence by supporting students on their transformative journey toward becoming accomplished healthcare professionals.

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What We Offer

Service

Physicians, dentists, PAs, and other healthcare providers often lead in their clinics, communities, and globally. Developing the ability to inspire and guide others towards a common goal is crucial for students and should be pursued at the undergraduate level. Strong leadership roles can be found in community organizations, work environments, campus clubs, and non-profits. The Utah Health Scholars program provides students with the tools and support to excel in leadership positions. Both internal opportunities within the program, such as our Cohort leadership model, and external community involvement enhance students’ qualifications.

Leadership

Physicians, dentists, PAs, and other providers are leaders in their clinic, community, and even across the globe. The ability to motivate a group of people towards a common goal is something students must cultivate at the undergraduate level. Great leadership roles stem from community organizations, work environments, campus clubs, and non-profits. Students in Utah Health Scholars are given the tools and guidance needed to solidify strong leadership positions.

Job Shadowing

Students should be well-informed about the healthcare profession before applying to graduate programs. Shadowing a healthcare provider is an excellent way to gain firsthand experience. Utah Health Scholars help students find providers to shadow and maximize their experience. Through our direct partnership with Intermountain Healthcare, students have access to local physicians, PAs, dentists, podiatrists, nurses, and other professionals. We also offer virtual job shadowing opportunities.

Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate research can provide valuable insights into the science behind medicine, including disease cures, new medications, and discoveries about the human body. Depending on their interests and graduate school goals, students can gain research experience by working with faculty on campus throughout the year or participating in research opportunities at various universities across the U.S. during the summer. Graduate programs expect students to demonstrate proficiency in the scientific method beyond the traditional classroom setting.

Patient Exposure

To determine if a career in healthcare is the right fit, students need to answer the question, "Do I enjoy working with sick people?" Healthcare providers often work with patients dealing with various ailments, and the ability to effectively support and comfort these individuals is crucial for a physician. Volunteering or working in a healthcare setting during college can help students assess their suitability for a healthcare career. Utah Health Scholars connects students with jobs and volunteer opportunities at local hospitals, clinics, plasma donation centers, elderly care facilities, and homes for disabled adults. Additionally, students can participate in cultural immersion trips to gain experience with underserved populations.

Academics

To enter a graduate healthcare program, students need high grades and strong scores on entrance exams. Balancing demanding prerequisite coursework with a busy schedule can make it challenging to maintain the high GPA often required for applications. Utah Health Scholars offers free, one-on-one private tutoring for collegiate courses. Additionally, the program provides seminars to help students prepare for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), Dental Admissions Test (DAT), Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT), Optometry Admissions Test (OAT), and the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

Interviews

After meeting the academic and curricular standards of a graduate program, students must undergo a personal interview, which can be a daunting part of the process due to its emphasis on communication skills. Utah Health Scholars supports students by offering mock interviews and providing tips to excel in interview settings

Skills for Specific Disciplines

As campus pre-health experts, Utah Health Scholars staff are knowledgeable about the specific requirements for various graduate programs. For example, dentistry students need to show manual dexterity, while physician assistant candidates require extensive patient exposure. Students are not expected to know these specifics before high school graduation; Utah Health Scholars provides tailored, discipline-specific information as needed.

UHS Cultural Immersion Trips: Utah Health Scholars offers cultural immersion trips to the Dominican Republic and the Four Corners, providing healthcare services to underserved communities. Students gain hands-on experience through health screenings, shadowing providers, and volunteer work with local non-profits.

Cultural Immersion Trips

Program Details

Serving over 500 students across southern Utah, Utah Health Scholars offers numerous benefits, including various activities, trips, and courses. Students receive information through weekly emails, university seminars, and healthcare articles to ensure they are well-prepared for careers in today's healthcare field.

Contact

Utah Center for Rural Health

ruralhealth@suu.edu

(435) 865-8573

SC 304