Regis’ Health Professions Summer Experience empowers incoming students to explore the health care industry

For the second year in a row, Regis University’s Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions invited rising high school and college students who are interested in the healthcare industry to take part in the Health Professions Summer Experience. This week-long camp, taking place from July 14 through 18, offers young adults a look into an array of health care professions through hands-on learning experiences at Regis’ Denver and Thornton campuses. 

At Regis, supplementing the education of current and future health care students creates a cornerstone for their future careers. Linda Osterlund, Ph.D., academic dean of the Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions, further described the reason for offering the experience. 

“We are providing an opportunity for students to try on different careers in health professions that may inspire them to become part of the much-needed health workforce for the future,” said Osterlund. 

This summer, the program historically welcomed many first-generation students to the experience, giving them an initial glimpse into future educational pathways in the healthcare field. The Pipeline Uplifting Excellence in Nursing Training and Education (PUENTE) Pre-Nursing Program  is one of Regis’ support opportunities for incoming first-gen pre-nursing students. PUENTE begins with the Health Professions Summer Experience and extends connections and scholarships for all 4 years at Regis. 

Of the 52 high school and college students who attended this years' experience, nearly half were a part of the PUENTE program. Angel Saldana, a rising Regis freshman and a member of the PUENTE cohort, described why he was drawn to the program this summer. 

"Before I even knew about PUENTE, I signed up for the program,” said Saldana. “I wanted an opportunity to meet more students who are more interested in health care, since I come from an area that doesn't have a lot of health care-based learning.”  

To address the lack of pre-college educational opportunities, Regis initiated the Health Professions Summer Experience. This October, Linda Osterlund, Ph.D., Bianca Calderon, Pharm.D. and Emily Clemens, Pharm.D., from Regis’ RHCHP, will present at the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP) Annual Conference, “Innovation in Action: Growth and Collaboration in Higher Education and Health Professions.” 

The presentation will focus on how Regis is cultivating future health care professionals by engaging young adults in summer camps to address the health care worker shortage and increase overall enrollment in health care education in all institutions – not just Regis. 

As students return to campus this fall, attendees of the Health Professions Summer Experience will begin their classes not only with an academic head start, but brand-new connections with like-minded peers. Gracie Lai, an incoming Regis freshman, shared how the experience helped her feel prepared for the semester, in more ways than one. 

“This experience has been a ton of fun,” said Lai. “I’ve been meeting people and making connections where we can bond over similar experiences, even in fields that we aren’t familiar with.”

Learn more about the Health Professions Summer Experience.