The University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s College of Health Professions recently launched the 2024 Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) National Ambassadors Program, an initiative to connect students with mentors in the fields of medical laboratory science, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
The HCOP National Ambassadors Program is made possible through a $3.2 million award from the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the College of Health Profession’s Reimagining Education for Advanced Careers in Healthcare (REACH) Project.
Chermale Casem, MBA, the executive assistant dean of Finance, Operations, and Strategic Initiatives in the College of Health Professions and the program’s director, said she is enthusiastic about fostering meaningful connections between students and mentors in their chosen health career paths.
“Our mentors from our clinical partners within the community have all agreed to help our scholars with career development, networking, and professional growth,” Casem said.
Gloria Jenkins, clinical lab manager at Regional One Health and a mentor in the HCOP program, said she is excited to engage with the future workforce of the allied health field. As an alumna of the UT Health Science Center College of Health Professions, Jenkins underscored the significance of providing a well-rounded experience for students.
“I have always been passionate about volunteering, and there is no greater honor than to serve the students at my alma mater,” she said. “I want my mentee to understand, while academics are important, it is also great to have a veteran in the field to help them navigate those spaces.”
Read more at our UTHSC news site.