Campbell University hosts 14th annual Health Professions program

Photo of computer laptop on desk

The College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences’ (CPHS) annual Ransdell Family Health Professions Readiness Enrichment Program (HPREP), traditionally held on campus, was held in an online format with the same goal: to mentor and develop diverse leaders in healthcare. More than 50 students from around the country participated.

HPREP is a four-day interdisciplinary, preparatory and professional development program for prospective students interested in the following areas: pharmacy, osteopathic medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant, athletic training, pharmaceutical sciences, clinical research, public health and biomedical sciences.

HPREP programming seeks to expose current college students to an interdisciplinary, professional, academic environment. Programming topics included medical ethics, Kaplan test taking strategies, mock interviews and CPHS program overviews, and included campus tours. Students were encouraged to build relationships with industry leaders and discover how to be a more competitive applicant for graduate programs. Participants were also presented with the opportunity to participate in interactive and interdisciplinary workshops and seminars related to various health professions.

“Overall the goal in virtual HPREP was to provide meaningful interactions in a personalized way and continue to provide competitive applicant training and support for participants,” said Steph Olson, director of Student Affairs. “We facilitated large group sessions and small group sessions to allow for more interaction, as well as one-on-one assistance with mock interviews and advising on the application process.”

A total of 57 students attended virtual HPREP. The program breakdown included 12 DPT, 12 PA, 11 PharmD, 4 MSCR, 4 MSPHS and 14 DO student participants. One student participant shared,Virtual HPREP was very informative and introduced me to not only more graduate programs, but it also introduced me to more ways to become a strong and successful applicant, along with what I need to do outside of academics in order to be successful.”

Another student participant shared that HPREP “helped solidify selecting Campbell University as the institution with which I want to grow, both educationally and professionally. The program was very well put on and the staff were phenomenal.”

Participations Stats

  • 8 states represented
  • 27 first-generation college students
  • 35 students from an underrepresented minority
  • 26 financially disadvantaged students (some identify as more than one)
  • 25 universities represented from across the country

Students from varying CPHS programs participated as program mentors.

More than 700 students have participated in HPREP since the programming began in 2005. More than 350 of those students have since matriculated into graduate or professional programs. The majority of these students have become Campbell alumni. Since the program’s inception, more than $100,000 in scholarship funds has been awarded to HPREP participants who continued their graduate education at Campbell.