At Xavier University of Louisiana, students are encouraged to go above and beyond so they can thrive on their individual career paths. Many Xavier students spend their summers in internships and programs that elevate their professional skills and strengthen their career opportunities in their chosen industry. This pursuit of excellence brought four Xavierites to the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) this summer.

SHPEP is a free summer program for students to explore their interests in health professions. These professions include medicine, dentistry, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, public health, and more. The program takes place at 12 institutions that SHPEP partners with and offers students a chance to develop healthcare skills, plan academic journeys, get clinical exposure, and network with each other and potential mentors. It was precisely these aspects of the program that attracted some of the Xavier students selected to participate.

“SHPEP’s overall mission of strengthening academic proficiency and career development of underrepresented students appealed to me,” said Christian Davis, a junior pre-dental chemistry major and biology minor at Xavier. Davis was selected into SHPEP this year and has plans to become a general dentist. “The health profession-oriented program prepares scholars to establish a successful application and matriculate in graduate schools.”

Xavierites Alicia Hardrick, Kaleb Clark, and Callie Blocker also participated in the program. Like Davis, juniors Hardrick and Clark are chemistry pre-med majors, while junior Blocker is a biology major. They all plan to pursue a career in the medical and healthcare industry, and SHPEP has brought them closer to making those career aspirations a reality.

Through hands-on experiences and lectures, the students not only get to explore various areas but, ultimately, what interests them.

“SHPEP has been an engaging, immersive experience,” said Hardrick, who is considering either becoming a dermatologist or obstetrician/gynecologist. “Some activities we have done since starting the program include various simulations of medical scenarios, several workshops where we learn techniques like suturing, filling cavities, and even creating our own tooth out of dental composite.”

“The program is very instrumental in helping students to achieve their goals of becoming a health professional,” said Clark, who is an aspiring optometrist. “Over the past four weeks, I’ve been able to step into the world of medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, and, of course, optometry.”

Xavier University offers resources to guide its students through the application process of programs like SHPEP, and the university’s Pre-Medical Office is always sharing similar opportunities with those who dream of entering the biomedical field in some capacity. The four Xavierites who participated in SHPEP credit Xavier’s Pre-Medical Office, which sent an email to students that listed some of the summer internships and opportunities that were applicable and available.

“The Pre-Medical Office sent an extensive explanation of the [SHPEP], detailed tips for gaining admissions, and critiqued all of the materials required for submission,” said Davis. She was also nominated by Xavier’s Pre-Medical Office to be considered for early assurance into UAB Dental School via her participation in SHPEP this summer.

Xavier became home for these Xavierites. The university’s reputation for preparing its students to get into and complete medical school and for being one of the top producers of Black doctors and pharmacists through its College of Pharmacy attracted these ambitious students to the nation’s only historically Black and Catholic institution. Introducing students to programs like SHPEP is just one of the ways the university creates opportunities for its students to thrive. For these Xavierites, being scholars

of SHPEP has been an opportunity of a lifetime, one that they are sure will help them in their individual journeys.

“I was extremely excited to be accepted into the program, especially after seeing other students on the SHPEP website complete the program and matriculate into professional school,” said Clark. “I’ve been able to meet other students from across the country and other countries who are also chasing their dreams. I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity to achieve my goals!