Looking Ahead to the Future with
Health Careers atThe
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
The Department of Health Career Programs (HCP) at The University
of Tennessee Health Science Center is committed to contributing to a
diverse workforce by nurturing and supporting secondary and
postsecondary students' interests in the health professions and in
the University as prospective matriculants.
UTHSC actively seeks applications from
veterans and from individuals who are historically underrepresented
in science and in the health care professions: underrepresented
minority students, non-traditional students, students with
disabilities, and students who represent the first in their families
to pursue higher education.
The HCP mission will be accomplished via
the implementation of a targeted recruitment plan, information
dissemination, skill building activities, academic and personal
development enrichment programs, and retention strategies.
The University of Tennessee undertakes many activities to accomplish
its missions, goals, and objectives. These include, in part, 1)
an ambitious high school and college visitation program: 2) telethons;
3) wide circulation of news releases affirming our commitment to
diversity; 4) a sizable scholarship program; 5) a vital student
academic support center. The institution would like to feel also
that it has an accepting and nurturing environment that is sensitive
to the diversimilarities of all of its constituents.
Ultimately, the University is convinced that its success in
recruitment and retention is attributable to its summer
internship programs. Generally, such programs translate opportunity
into real access to our facilities, faculty and students. More specifically,
they provide in a structured environment academic enrichment and
reinforcement of the math/science concepts so essential to health
education training. But their impact is more profoundly felt in
the "hope" that they kindle, nourish, and accomplish.
Over the past years, more than 2,500 students have benefited from
participation in summer programs.
The Programs are eight weeks in duration, and offer a stipend,
which replaces summer income that students would otherwise lose
due to their participation. All applicants are carefully evaluated
in an effort to judge their academic achievement; level of interest
in a health career; motivation; perseverance; and community involvement--
all of which are also judged during professional school admission
processes. It is expected that students will devote 100% of their
energies and time to what really amounts to full-time summer employment.
Additional information on expectations of students and faculty preceptors
are found in the Health Career Programs Student Handbook.
Summer programs offer tremendous advantages, as students transition
from high school to college to professional school. Every effort
is made to allow students to return each summer, as long as their
academic performance continues to demonstrate scholastic achievement.
Professional School Contacts
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE: Nelson Strother, Asst.Dean
for Admissions and Student Affairs (UTHSC) nstrother@utmem.edu
or (901) 448-5561 or Steve Ellis, Dir for Student Support Services
& Asst. Dean for Student Affairs (ETSU) elliss@etsu.edu
or (423) 439-2037
COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY: Dr. Wisdom Colemen, Assoc. Prof.
and Assoc. Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs wcoleman@utmem.edu
or (901) 448-6200
COLLEGE OF NURSING: Dr. Carolyn Graff, Assistant
Dean for Student Affairs cgraff@utmem.edu or (901)
448-6139
COLLEGE OF PHARMACY: Dr. James Eoff, Exec. Associate Dean for
Admissions and Student Affairs
jeoff@utmem.edu or (901) 448-6120
COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE: James Brace, Assoc.
Dean for Admissions jbrace@utk.edu or(423) 974-7262
