Tori Johnson, a pre-PA student from Mississippi State University, said her time in the Pre-Health Scholars program at UT Health Science Center was transformative.
“The hands-on experiences, insightful panels, and supportive community have solidified my passion for health care and prepared me for the future, and I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity,” Johnson said.
Johnson participated in the 2024 Pre-Health Scholars Program (PSP), which was held from June 10 to July 19. PSP is a six-week program designed by the Office of Student Success to help expose underrepresented students to the health care fields. The program has existed under various names at the university since the 1970s.
Participating students from various undergraduate universities gain hands-on experiences in clinical, classroom, and service-learning settings at UT Health Science Center. Students who successfully complete two summers receive GRE, MCAT, DAT, or PACAT test preparation. The program includes seminar sessions, clinical simulation experiences, access to the university’s resources, a capstone project, and clinical shadowing.
Many students who partake in the Pre-Health Scholar’s program ultimately attend UT Health Science Center. One such student is Nicholas Dikhtyar, a first-generation college and medical student in the College of Medicine class of 2027. “The Pre-Health Scholars Program made my transition to medical school a lot easier, since I was already acquainted with the campus and the resources available for students. They guided me through the application and admissions processes, provided me with MCAT test-prep materials, and did mock interviews to equip me to answer questions thoughtfully and confidently.”
PSP aims to introduce potential students to careers they might otherwise have not known about. Curea Cunningham, a student who participated in the 2024 PSP, spoke about this. “Professions were introduced to us by the Colleges of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, and Health Professions. I was unaware that many of these programs ended in doctorate degrees,” Cunningham said. “The advisers were remarkable. I genuinely feel that the faculty and staff at are deeply invested in my well-being and success. PSP has made UT Health Science Center my top choice for medical school.”
The Pre-Health Scholars Program is led by Takisha Mack, a student affairs specialist for Health Careers Programs at UT Health Science Center. Since beginning her role in 2022, she has recruited for and planned the entire program with the help of colleagues from the various colleges.
“These students are underrepresented in some form, and the support they receive here is allowing them to live out their dreams.” Mack said. “They receive a network and support system other students could only dream of, including a week of shadowing, an opportunity to network with the deans, participating in various simulations and workshops, and interacting with the colleges. They are being exposed to UT Health Science Center from a unique perspective.”
When asked about her experience in PSP, Aaliyah Flake, a College of Medicine Class of 2028 student, said, “Even before I officially started the Pre-Health Scholars Program, Ms. Takisha Mack and Mrs. Jennesa Moore showed me they cared deeply about my future. Their guidance wasn’t an advisement; it was crucial to my journey to medical school. I gained invaluable physician shadowing hours, which is something that had seemed out of reach as a first-generation college student. The Pre-Health Scholars Program was instrumental in my decision to choose the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine as my home for the next four years.”