A continuum of career exploration and preparation

Pathways to Medicine aims to connect health care career exploration, academic preparation, mentorship, and resources for students across Iowa.

From early exposure to the health sciences through undergraduate preparation for health professional school, our programs help students explore their interests, understand their options, and identify their next steps.

Starting with K–12 STEM education, our programs introduce students to the health sciences through school and community outreach, campus visits, hands-on medical simulations, and events such as Kids Go STEM and Teens Go STEM. These experiences build curiosity and career awareness. 

Building on this foundation, University of Iowa Pathways to Health Professions (UIPHP) offers a free, four-week summer enrichment program for undergraduate Iowa residents interested in becoming physicians or physician associates. UIPHP strengthens academic preparation and career development through individualized advising, mentorship, hands-on clinical activities, community engagement, and guidance on the professional school application process. The program helps undergraduate students in Iowa build a roadmap toward medical or physician associate school.

These efforts support Iowa’s future health care workforce and encourage students to consider careers serving communities across the state, including rural communities.

Inspiring future health care professionals

Pathways to Medicine exists to inspire future health care professionals and address the future health care needs of Iowans. We also acknowledge the need for rural health care providers and encourage students to consider future careers providing care for smaller Iowa communities.

Our objectives:

  • Health care workforce development: Familiarize students with a variety of health care professions to illustrate the many paths to a career in the health sciences.
  • People as resources: Engage Carver College of Medicine faculty and students and UI Health Care providers as key resources for career exploration programming and discovery.
  • Continuum of programming: Our programs seek to meet Iowa students where they are at every stage, beginning in elementary school and continuing through undergraduate studies.
  • Communication and collaboration: We see Iowa educators as critical partners. By providing clear information and options, teachers can select the best program option for their students. We also provide resources on the steps for matriculation into medicine and other health care career fields. Regardless of age level, our resources are designed to encourage students to be curious and to push beyond what they thought was possible.