Health Professions Academy
The Health Professions Academy (HPA) expands access to high quality health professional education for a broad and varied student base, serving as an early entry point into the Health Sciences Workforce Excellence (HSWE) pipeline for high school juniors and seniors. Through a semester long, college aligned curriculum, HPA equips students with foundational knowledge of health careers, early professional skill building, and a clear pathway into Utah’s growing health workforce.
HPA provides students with a powerful academic jumpstart through concurrent enrollment with the University of Utah, enabling them to earn college credit while still in high school. All credit fees are fully covered by the HSWE Office removing financial barriers for every participating student.
Currently, East High School and West High School serve as designated magnet schools for the Health Professions Academy, with on site leadership provided by Salt Lake School District officials. Their guidance supports students as they explore health professions and begin their transition into higher education and future health careers.
HPA’s purpose is to cultivate opportunity, early exposure, and a structured on ramp into both the HSWE workforce pipeline and University of Utah degree pathways, empowering students to envision and pursue meaningful futures in the health professions.
Questions about the program may be directed to:
Guillermo Cuevas, Institutional Partnership Manager
guillermo.cuevas@hsc.utah.edu
801-585-0846
Curriculum
Over a semester, students are driven to the University of Utah Health campus and attend over a dozen presentations from various health sciences departments. Presentations are curated in order to provide an in-depth look at a wide variety of health professions. Our University of Utah professors and clinicians are enthusiastic about connecting with the future health workforce and presenting on their specialties.
Recent presentations have included: