Kendall Byrd, one of this year’s Ransdell Family Health Professions Readiness & Enrichment Program (HPREP) participants, voiced the overall sentiment felt by the participants, mentors, faculty and staff who all joined in the week of learning and career exploration.
“Thank you for giving me such an amazing opportunity to attend HPREP this week,” said Byrd. “I am extremely appreciative of the relationships that were built and the advice I received. HPREP only strengthened my goal to attend [physical therapy] school and become a part of this next wave of health care professionals.”
“That is exactly what we hope happens during HPREP,” said Dayna Harper, assistant director of Student Affairs. “We want the participants to network and have hands-on experiences in their health care field of interest along with other health profession fields to showcase the interprofessionalism of the world of healthcare. We also help them give back to the community all while having a great time.”
Participants packed about 300 bags of food to support disadvantaged elementary and middle school children in Harnett County through the Harnett County Buddy Backpack Program. Food was donated by College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences students, faculty and staff, along with local grocery stores. The Doctor of Physical Therapy students held a competition between the first- and second-year students to raise donations for the project, which the second-year students won. Also, Campbell’s pharmacy students participated in the project through a jeans day and raised more than $600.
HPREP is held on the main campus and on the health sciences campus in Buies Creek. This year, the College had 60 participants from 14 states. There were 26 first-generation college students, 36 underrepresented minority students and 32 financially disadvantaged students (some identify as more than one) all representing 42 universities from across the country.
“The mission of HPREP is to provide a diverse group of future healthcare leaders with opportunities for professional career exploration as well as leadership and professional development,” said Michael L. Adams (’96 PharmD, PhD) CPHS dean.
HPREP exposes college students to a formative experience that combines academic instruction with leadership and professional development in an interdisciplinary environment. The program targets first generation college prospects, financially disadvantaged, underrepresented minority students, and students with an interest in practicing in rural areas.
HPREP Impact
- Since 2006, more than 700 students have participated in the program.
- More than 300 of those students have matriculated into a graduate or professional program, with the majority becoming Campbell alumni.
About HPREP
Founded in 2005, 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
- Biomedical Sciences
During the course of the program, students:
- participate in interactive and interdisciplinary labs, workshops, seminars, and case studies related to health professions and their individual program of interest;
- build relationships with leaders in healthcare and be assigned an academic adviser;
- discover how to become more competitive applicants for health profession admissions;
- explore a variety of health profession career opportunities;
- learn how to improve or strengthen professional admission test taking skills through a PCAT, MCAT, and GRE review session; and
- experience the Campbell family and our dedication to service.
Since the initiation of HPREP, participants of the program who continued their graduate education at Campbell have been awarded more than $100,000 in scholarship funds towards pursuing their healthcare degree at the University.
HPREP in 2019
- The application for the 2019 program will be available September 3, 2018 on the HPREP website for students considering a career in healthcare.
More Information
For more information on the Ransdell Family Health Professions Readiness & Enrichment Program, please contact Kim Dunn, director of enrollment management at frazierk@campbell.edu.