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June 3, 2024 – July 12, 2024
• About SHPEP and Eligibility
• Admission Process
• About Our UT Health SHPEP
• UT Health SHPEP Academic Program
• UT Health SHPEP Scholar Life
• UT Health SHPEP Meal, Stipends,
Housing, and Travel Assistance
• Contact Us
Summer Health
Professions Education
Program (SHPEP)
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About SHPEP and Eligibility
About SHPEP
The program has been shaping careers and changing the lives of premedical and predental college
students for 33 years, formerly the Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP). Today,
the SHPEP initiative has expanded to include other health careers, such as nursing, pharmacy,
physician assistant, and public health.
Hosted at 12 institutions nationwide, SHPEP aims to strengthen the academic proficiency and career
development of students underrepresented in the health professions and prepare them for a successful
application and matriculation to health professions schools. These students include, but are not limited
to, individuals who identify as African American/ Black, American Indian and Alaska Native, and
Hispanic/ Latino and who are from communities of socioeconomic and educational disadvantage. For
additional information, please visit www.shpep.org.
Eligibility
All students who meet the SHPEP eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
• Be a college freshman or sophomore at the time of application
• Have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5
• Be a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident, or an individual granted deferred action for childhood
arrivals (DACA) status by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
• Not have previously participated in the program.
• Other factors for consideration include that a student:
• Comes from an economically or educationally disadvantaged background and/or
• Has demonstrated an interest in issues affecting underserved populations.
• Submits a compelling personal statement and a strong letter of recommendation.
Admission Process
“SHPEP’s goal is to strengthen the academic proficiency and career
development of students underrepresented in the health professions and
prepare them for a successful application and matriculation to health
professions schools.”
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The SHPEP application deadlines are listed below. Interested students are encouraged to apply.
Applications will open in November.
The following chart highlights the application, review, and notification process:
Application Opens
Application Closes
Notification
Response to Offer
Waitlist Offered
Application materials must include the SHPEP online application form, official transcripts from all post-
secondary schools attended, and one letter of recommendation from either a pre-health advisor or a
college professor within your major field of study. For more information regarding the SHPEP
application and notification process please visit go.uth.edu/shpep.
About Our UT Health SHPEP
UTHealth is an academic health center that educates more than 5,000 professionals annually and
delivers health care to patients with diverse cultures, beliefs, and nationalities. UTHealth is committed
to creating an environment that values inclusion, collaboration, partnerships, and teamwork to
accomplish its mission.
The UTHealth SHPEP is grounded in collaborative relationships between the UTHealth McGovern
Medical School, School of Dentistry, and Cizik School of Nursing, which are the three health
professions of interest for our program. The curriculum focuses on Basic Sciences, Academic
Enrichment, and Professional Development.
The Basic Sciences core curriculum is structured around courses relevant to health professionals,
including Anatomy and Physiology, Statistics, Organic Chemistry, and an appropriate entry-level course
for students interested in nursing.
The UTHealth SHPEP leaders recognize that the skills of well-rounded health professions students and
health care providers go beyond competency in basic sciences. Changes in US demographics and
issues of access to care create the need for individuals able to work across cultures. New models of
health care delivery, such accountable care organizations, create the need for individuals with the
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leadership skills to make these new models a successful part of our health care culture. As we create
a culture of health, those within the professions must understand the broad definitions of individual and
collective community wellness and engage in practices that promote both. And finally, as we move
towards patient centered, team-based care, having individuals who understand, value and work towards
the goal of interprofessional education and practice is essential for these models to be effective. Our
Academic Enrichment and Professional Development curricula will help prepare students in these areas
and serve to augment the Basic Sciences curriculum.
Interwoven throughout the curriculum and student experiences is the central theme of wellness and
nutrition. This topic spans beyond basic and clinical sciences in nursing, medicine, dentistry and public
health and highlights how the lack of wellness and poor nutrition contributes to obesity, the leading
health problem in the US. This theme also allows the program to highlight the interprofessional
collaboration between healthcare providers needed to address this multi-faceted healthcare challenge.
UT Health SHPEP Academic Program
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Core Academic Curriculum
The core academic curriculum will have courses in organic chemistry, physics (for those interested in
medical and dental careers), anatomy and physiology, microbiology, statistics and fundamentals of
public health (for those interested in public health and nursing careers). Lab experience in the human
anatomy facility at the medical school will be offered through the six-week experience. Examples of the
topics covered in the core curriculum are listed below:
Organic Chemistry
Organic chemistry is a specific discipline within chemistry
which involves the scientific study of the structure,
properties, composition, reactions, and preparation (by
synthesis or by other means) of chemical compounds
consisting primarily of carbon and hydrogen. Class time will
be a mix of lecture and group work to aid in the
understanding of key concepts. Homework assignments
will reinforce and develop the ideas discussed in class.
Physics
This course will provide students with an introduction to some of the key concepts in physics, such as
motion, force, heat, fluids, and waves. An emphasis will be placed on how the physical principles apply
to the mechanics of the human body. Class time will consist of a combination of lecture, demonstrations,
and hands-on group work. Homework assignments will reinforce and develop the ideas discussed in
class.
Microbiology
This course will serve as a general introduction to pathologies caused by microorganisms from the
perspective of etiologic agents, symptoms, prevention, and treatment. Interactive lectures will provide
theoretical background for diagnosis of real-world case studies in general medicine and dentistry.
Anatomy and Physiology
The lecture portion of A &P emphasizes problem solving with clinical situations that involve anatomical
terminology, homeostatic mechanisms and pathologies associated with the skeletal, muscular and
nervous systems. The lab portion includes hands-on gross anatomy lab experiences with bones,
joints, muscles, brains and other internal organs.
Statistics
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Statistics is the study of research outcomes. Over the six weeks, you will be introduced to the
concepts that are used in reporting the results of research. Even if you will not be producing
research in your practice, you will likely be reading the results of others' research.
An understanding of statistics is essential if you want to read the reports in academic journals.
Class time will be a mix of lecture and group work. Homework assignments will reinforce and
develop critical thinking based on the ideas learned in class.
□ Calculator Requirement for Statistics Course
□ Accepted scholars are required to bring a statistics-friendly calculator for the Statistics course:
Texas Instruments 83+ or 84. Specs/features and user guide may be accessed by clicking on
the following links:
o TI-83 Plus
o TI-84 Plus Silver Edition
o Guide for TI-83, TI-83 Plus, or TI-84 Plus Graphing Calculator
Fundamentals of Public Health
The Centers for Disease Control defines public health as “the science of protecting and improving the
health of families and communities through promotion of healthy lifestyles, research for disease and
injury prevention and detection and control of infectious diseases. Overall, public health is concerned
with protecting the health of entire populations.” (www.cdcfoundation.org). This course will introduce
each of the core disciplines of public health, as well as some of the areas that span the health disciplines
of nursing, medicine and dentistry. Class time will be a combination of lectures, discussions, and
demonstrations.
Academic Enrichment and Professional Development Curriculum
Examples of topics to be covered in the academic enrichment and professional development
curriculum are listed below:
Health Policy
Health Policy is the study to improve health systems to meet
their objectives in terms of health outcomes, financial
protection and responsiveness to the population’s legitimate
expectations. This six-week educational experience will focus
on key principles in policy making and health policy and
exposure to critical health care issues.
Professionalism and Cultural Competency
Scholars will experience special topics in humanism,
professionalism, ethics and cultural competency. These topics
will be introduced by highly regarded faculty with known
expertise in these areas.
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Communication Skills
Small-group experiences in the Art of Communication course will help develop communication
skills relevant to health professionals. Scholars also will prepare for health professions school
interviews by working on mock interviews with the tutors.
Clinical Exposure
Scholars will experience limited clinical exposure through a diverse range of settings including
shadowing individual clinicians, small-group clinical rotations and full-group seminars with
highly experienced and expert clinicians.
Learning Skills Development
Emphasis is placed on developing learning strategies to be a successful student in
professional school. Topics may include strategies to improve study habits, note-taking
strategies, test-taking skills, time management, and use of information resources (library and
Web).
Financial Planning
A nationally recognized expert in financial planning will work with the scholars to assist them in
developing individualized career plans and in implementing financial management strategies.
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UT Health SHPEP Scholar Life
Student Life
Houston is a diverse city with a large and growing international community.
Many annual events celebrate the diverse cultures of Houston. The largest
and longest running is the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo,
held over 20 days from late February to early March, which is the largest
anywhere in the world. Another large celebration is the annual night-time
Houston Pride Parade, held at the end of June. Other annual events
include the Houston Greek Festival, Art Car Parade, the Houston Auto
Show and the Bayou City Art Festival, which is considered to be one of the
top five art festivals in the United States.
Houston has an active visual and performing arts scene. The Theater District is located downtown
and is home to nine major performing arts organizations and six performance halls. Houston is one
of few US cities with permanent, professional, resident companies in all major performing arts
disciplines; Houston Grand Opera, Houston Ballet, Houston Symphony Orchestra, and The Alley
Theater.
The Museum District has many popular cultural institutions and exhibits, which attract more than
7 million visitors a year. Notable facilities include The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Houston
Museum of Natural Science, the Contemporary Arts Museum, Houston, the Station Museum of
Contemporary Art, Holocaust Museum Houston, and the Houston Zoo. Located outside, but
within proximity of the Museum District are The Menil Collection and Rothko Chapel. Houston
has teams for nearly every major professional sport. The Houston Astros (MLB), Houston
Texans (NFL), Houston Rockets (NBA), Houston Dynamo (MLS), Houston Dash (NWSL),
Houston Energy (IWFL), Houston Power (WFA) all call Houston home.
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Social Activities (Free)
SHPEP-sponsored events include a Welcome Dinner at check-in, scholar talent show, and Graduation
Ceremony with reception. Scholar-organized events have included movie nights in the dorm and
cookouts on the Rice campus. Additional activities in the Houston metro area are listed below:
Free Activities
Walkable
Metro
Car/
Other
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
(Free on Thursdays)
X
X
X
The Menil Collection
X
Holocaust Museum
X
X
X
Houston Museum of Natural Science
X
X
X
Miller Outdoor Theatre
X
X
X
Buffalo Soldiers National Museum
(Free Thursday 1-5pm)
X
X
Children’s Museum of Houston
(Free Thursday 5-8pm)
X
X
X
The Health Museum
(Free Thursday 2-5pm)
X
X
X
Social Activities (For a fee $)
Free Activities
Walkable
Metro
Car/
Other
Houston Zoo
X
X
X
Astros
X
X
The Health Museum
X
X
X
San Jacinto Monument and Museum of History
X
Battleship Texas
X
Downtown Aquarium
X
X
Alley Theatre
X
Kemah Boardwalk
X
Moody Gardens
X
NASA
X
Space Center Houston
X
Ice Skating at the Galleria
X
X
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Dress Code
Students are exceed to maintain a professional
personal appearance at all times. During
operating hours, infection control mandates
that students may not wear any of the
following:
● Shorts
● Mini-skirts
● Open-toed shoes
● Tank tops
● Capri pants
● Muscle shirts
● Halter tops
● Baseball caps
● Jeans
● Tennis shoes (unless wearing
scrubs)
Scrubs are required in order to participate
in the Clinical Observation and Simulation
Lab sessions for nursing, medicine and
dentistry participants. In this instance, you
MUST also wear tennis shoes that are
CLEAN and covering the entire foot.
These personal appearance standards are in effect from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday
through Friday. Students who are not in compliance with these minimal dress requirements
will not be allowed to remain in the building and will be required to return to the dorm to change
clothes.
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UT Health SHPEP Meals, Stipends,
Housing and Travel Assistance
Meals
Meals: While on campus, at least two meals per day, Monday-Sunday will be provided.
Students may also have the opportunity to purchase Tetra cards (Rice U. meal cards) during
the check-in process, to be used on the Rice campus only (eateries & the “convenience stores
only.”)
Student stipends of $1000.00 will be distributed in three installments during weeks 2, 4, and
6. The dollar amounts of each stipend will be calculated according to the total number of days
of the program/number of days in each pay period.
Housing: Rice University Dorm Information
Rice is a private, independent university dedicated to the "advancement of letters, science,
and art." Occupying a distinctive, tree-shaded, nearly 300-acre campus only a few miles
from downtown Houston, Rice attracts a diverse group of highly talented students with a
range of academic studies that includes humanities, social sciences, natural science,
engineering, architecture, music, and business management.
Rice University is approximately three blocks from the UTHealth McGovern Medical School
(MS). Scholars will walk to the MS for classes/events when scheduled in that building.
When scheduled at the UTHealth School of Dentistry (SOD), Cizik School of Nursing
(SON), or School of Public Health (SPH), scholars will use the UTHealth Shuttle which
picks up outside the MS. UTHealth ID Badges are REQUIRED to board the shuttles.
Laundry Facilities are available in each residential college free of charge.
Travel Assistance to/from Houston
Shared dormitory rooms at Rice University
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Variable and based on need and distance and/or state of residence up to $500.
If you have questions contact Griselda Avila (UT[email protected]), SHPEP
Coordinator.
Things to bring to the Rice Dorm
Each student will be assigned a twin bed/mattress, closet or wardrobe, desk and desk chair.
Things TO bring
Things NOT TO bring
Linens - Single Twin Sheets (2 each, flat,
not fitted)
Air conditioning units (window or room units)
Blanket
Candles
Pillow and Pillowcase
Box fans
Bath Towels (2 each)
Charcoal grills
Wash Cloths (2 each)
Electrical cooking appliances
Bath Robe & Slippers
Crock pots
Toiletries
Electric skillets (microwaves available for rent)
Toilet paper
George Foreman Grills
Clothing detergent
Halogen lamps
Alarm clock or clock radio
Hot oil popcorn poppers
Umbrella
Power tools
Insect repellent
Rice cookers/steamers
Sun screen
Space heaters
Calendar (daily planner)
Toasters or toaster ovens
Camera
DO NOT BRING FITTED SHEETS (Beds are extra-long)
First aid supplies
DO NOT BRING REFRIGERATORS OR
MICROWAVES – RENTAL AVAILABLE
Request rental application form and email to H&H Home
Services at hhhomeservices@att.net
Gary & Yvonne Harvin
H & H Home Services P.O. Box 2373
Cypress, TX 77410
Phone: 281-379-2045 Fax: 281-379-7394
Flashlight
TV (can be rented through H&H Home
Services)
Iron and Ironing board, Hangers
Lamps – small, for studying
No painting, paneling, construction, nails, screws or
tape on walls or doors.
Money for meal supplement/unexpected
costs
Tape, scissors, stapler
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Telephone cards (long distance)
Transportation
Travel to the Dorm at Rice University
From
Cost
Uber/Lyft*
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Rice University
$30.00-$35.00
Uber/Lyft*
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Rice University
$40.00-$60.00
Super Shuttle
Hobby to Rice University
$23.00
SuperShuttle
Intercontinental to Rice University
$27.00
*Uber/Lyft was chosen only to provide an estimate of the cost for taxi fares. No endorsement or
recommendation is intended or implied. Costs may vary depending on traffic and route.
Shuttle Transportation
SuperShuttle operates from both airports.
Travel Around Houston
Houston has an excellent mass transit system through the Metropolitan Transit Authority of
Harris County. The Metro website provides information about bus and light rail routes,
schedules and fares.
Parking
o Rice Campus Map
o Driving Directions to Rice Campus
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SHPEP- Contact Us
Program Coordinator
Program Directors
Grace Avila
Office of Student and Academic Affairs
SHPEP Coordinator and Point of Contact
Phone: 713-486-4151
Fax: 713-486-4173
Email: UTHealth-SHPEP@uth.tmc.edu
Robert D. Spears, PhD
Project Principal Investigator SHPEP- School of Dentistry
Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs
Professor, Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences
School of Dentistry
Phone: 713-486-4151 Fax: 713-486-4173
Email: Robert.D.Spears@uth.tmc.edu
Renee Flores, MD
Co-Director SHPEP – McGovern Medical School
Assistant Professor
Department of Internal Medicine, Geriatrics
McGovern Medical School
Phone: 713-500-5438 Fax: 713-500-0706
E-mail: Renee.[email protected]mc.edu
Erica Tengyuan Yu, PhD, RN, ANP
Co-Director SHPEP – Cizik School of Nursing
Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Programs
Department of Acute & Continuing Care
Cizik School of Nursing
Phone: 713-500-2160 Fax: 713-500-7121
E-mail: Erica.Yu@uth.tmc.edu
Asia Bright, PhD
Co-Director SHPEP
Director
Office of Diversity and Inclusion
McGovern Medical School
Phone: 713-500-5040 Fax: 713-500-0604
E-mail: Asia.T.McClearyG[email protected]