University of Alabama at Birmingham

Overview

The Summer Health Professions Education Program is a partnership between the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Heersink School of Medicine (HSOM), School of Dentistry (SOD), School of Optometry (SOO), and School of Health Professions (SHP), home to the Physical Therapy (PT) program. The program aims to increase diversity in health professions by recruiting and preparing underrepresented minority and socioeconomically disadvantaged students for successful educational experiences and careers in health care. Our program is intensive and we will have activities each week day, throughout the day. Scholars will be offered multiple components:

1. Academic enrichment in multiple disciplines (including Anatomy and Physiology, Biochemistry, Statistics).
2. Didactic instruction on health science topics, Scientific Writing, and Critical Reasoning.
3. Seminars on alternate health care opportunities and specialties.
4. Lectures on health disparities and determinants of health.
5. Career development activities with one-on-one sessions and mock interviews.
6. Workshops on study skills, life skills, time management skills, and financial literacy.
7. Leadership development exercises and team-building skills. In addition, the rich history of Birmingham will be leveraged to highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion.

Clinical Experience: The Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) at UAB will offer clinical shadowing to our participants who meet UAB Hospital shadowing guidelines (pre-medicine and pre-PT). For Optometry and Dentistry, we will follow the school-specific guidelines. Through the UAB Office of Standardized Patient Education (OSPE), you will be able to practice your newly acquired clinical skills when you independently interview a standardized patient. Further, you will receive feedback from your patient to help you improve your skills! In collaboration with UAB’s Office for Interprofessional Simulation (OIPS), you will participate in immersive simulations as well as simulations designed to experience addiction and poverty; each activity will be followed by a debriefing session to discuss your experiences. Other hands-on experiences will be discipline specific including suturing, dental activities, vision impairment simulation and physical therapy activities. Please note this component is limited to five percent of the program experience.

Health Profession Tracks Offered:

• Medical
• Dental
• Physical Therapy
• Optometry

Finances

Stipend: Stipends of $1000.00 per student will be disbursed in two $500 installments at the completion of weeks 2 and 6.

Food/Dining: Breakfast and lunches will be provided throughout the work week. Additional funds will be provided to offset the cost of meals for the remainder of the week.

Financial Planning: Financial planning to aid in budgeting is provided by the National Program Office, and by a member of the Heersink School of Medicine Admissions team.

Travel: Travel assistance will be provided.

Living

Residence Halls: Scholars will live in on-campus dormitories for their 6-week stay.  Access to student dining is available during these 6-weeks. Local restaurants are within walking distance.

Social Activities: UAB SHPEP staff will plan a variety of social activities which could include a picnic lunch with local healthcare professionals, movie nights, and our annual SHPEP Prom at the end of the program.