Closing a chapter, continuing the mission

Each summer, 80 aspiring health professionals arrive at the University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, taking an important step toward careers in medicine, dentistry, nursing and pharmacy. This year marks a significant milestone: the 20th anniversary of the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) at UofL. As we gather for this final summer, we celebrate two decades of turning dreams into reality for thousands of students the dedication and commitment of our former and current staff, faculty and health professionals for this program. 

Over the past two decades, SHPEP has served as a career-starter for students providing critical real-life exposure grounded in collaboration. Through partnerships across UofL’s Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Public Health and Information Sciences and Sullivan University, the program provides scholars with a comprehensive view of patient care.  

This collaborative approach allows students to take advanced coursework including organic chemistry, biochemistry and physiology, while applying gained knowledge through team-based learning focused on conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This integration of classroom learning with real-world application prepares students to think critically and work collaboratively in various environments.  

Beyond academics, the program prioritizes hands-on readiness. SHPEP scholars receive individualized advising, participate in mock interviews and gain tailored shadowing experiences. This practical training allows students to walk away with five key certifications, including NARCAN training, harm reduction, QPR, Stop the Bleed and HIPAA certification, demonstrating a tangible readiness to engage in patient-centered care. 

As the program has evolved, it has expanded its focus to meet the needs of today’s learners. In addition to academic preparation, the program has expanded its focus to include essential career readiness tools, such as personal statement development and professional branding, while prioritizing wellness and community-building. This support helps students build the professional identity and confidence necessary to access opportunities that may not have been previously available to them. 

"For many students, it’s one of the first opportunities to fully immerse themselves in a health care environment by connecting with professionals, learning from those further along in their training and gaining the confidence to succeed in these spaces," said Jessi Duff Lord, program director for SHPEP. "It’s often the first time students see themselves reflected in the field they aspire to enter, whether that is in finding someone with a similar journey or gaining confidence through mentorship and encouragement from professional health students and practitioners." 

This sense of belonging has created a lasting legacy. The program's impact is measured in the increasing number of graduates who have transitioned into the workforce as physicians, dentists, pharmacists and other health professionals filling critical roles across Kentucky and beyond.  

While the national SHPEP program concludes after this summer, its influence at UofL will continue. 

"My biggest hope is that we continue to build on the foundation it has created and evolve it into a true pipeline, one that extends beyond a six-week experience and becomes part of a larger, sustained journey supporting students from early interest through professional school and into the workforce," Duff Lord said. "For our students, I hope they leave SHPEP not only prepared, but empowered to pursue their goals, to advocate for themselves and their communities and to ultimately return as leaders in the very spaces they once aspired to enter." 

As UofL celebrates the final SHPEP cohort, the program leaves behind a lasting legacy of expanding access, strengthening the health care workforce and preparing the next generation of leaders to make a lasting impact.