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Cited by 0Global Health Workforce IssuesDiversity and Career in MedicineMedical Education and Admissions

Health Careers Opportunity Program: A Pathway to Increase Providers in Underserved Communities

Open access
Appel, Hoa B., McCarthy, John F., Azhar, Sarah, Coronado, Nora, Olson, Daniel R.·2026·Journal of Regional Medical Campuses
DOI 10.24926/jrmc.v8i3.6797
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Abstract

Abstract The current critical shortage of primary care physicians (PCPs) in rural communities has been well documented. To respond to this shortage, the Federal Bureau of Healthcare Workforce has encouraged medical schools to recruit students from disadvantaged backgrounds to apply to medical schools and upon graduation to work in rural communities. This paper presents four programs the University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSOM) has implemented toward that end, with focus on the Ambassador program. MethodsThe UWSOM Office of Rural Programs offers a Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP). The HCOP summer programs recruit, train, and provide academic and social support to underrepresented students from rural and underserved areas. The students are thereby encouraged to enter medical school and eventually to practice in those communities. The Ambassador program recruited these students by e-mail with assistance from various health professional schools. Selection criteria were educational and/or economic disadvantage backgrounds and currently attending a health professional school. ResultsThe UWSOM program’s pathways have engaged high school and undergraduate students in its summer preparation programs. For students in three of the four pathways (high school, undergraduate, and medical school), the initial numbers are small, but the trajectory demonstrates an encouraging trend. The HCOP Ambassador program has 50 students, most of whom are medical and physician assistant students. Ambassadors found the program helpful, especially regarding the interprofessional education and mentoring of high school and undergraduate students interested in becoming future PCPs. ConclusionPreliminary results show an encouraging trend in recruiting and retaining students willing to serve in rural and underserved communities. Our goal is to build upon this favorable trend by continuing recruitment and training of underrepresented students, learning from each cohort the changes needed to optimize future recruitment and training, and so create a healthcare workforce to serve these populations. Conflict Disclosure: No conflict of interest from all authors

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

The University of Washington School of Medicine’s Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) uses summer pathway programs, especially the Ambassador program, to recruit, train, and support underrepresented students from rural and underserved areas for health careers. Preliminary results show small but growing cohorts and positive participant perceptions, though long-term workforce outcomes are not yet reported.

Key findings

  • The first Ambassador cohort (Fall 2023–June 2025) had 21 students in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and physician assistant programs; the second cohort (2024–2026) had 29 students. Table 1 reports medicine 6 then 17, dentistry 5 then 6, physician assistant 8 then 3, pharmacy 1 then 2, public health 0 then 1, and nursing 1 then 0.
  • In the first cohort, only 5 ambassadors had mentees; in the second cohort, 19 of 29 ambassadors were matched with a mentee, including 17 premedical mentees from the SHPEPLE program.
  • All participants reported the online modules were helpful for how they view collaborating with other healthcare professionals and said they would use what they learned to improve patient care and outcomes. In the first cohort, 89% found the interprofessional experience valuable on a 5-point Likert scale.
  • The majority of the 2024–2026 HCOP cohort expressed strong interest in serving small town and rural communities after completing medical education; most first-year participants wanted to work in underserved areas, with a minority preferring small cities and rural, unincorporated areas.

Methods

  • This is a program description and preliminary evaluation of UWSOM HCOP, which encompasses four interconnected programs targeting high school, undergraduate, and medical students; the paper focuses on the Ambassador program. Ambassadors were recruited by flyers and emails to health professional schools, with selection criteria including educational and/or economic disadvantage and commitment to pursue a health career, especially medicine, in a rural or underserved area.
  • Data collection used REDCap surveys with quantitative and qualitative items to assess participant experiences, satisfaction, and perceived impact on career aspirations. Quantitative data were analyzed in Microsoft Excel for descriptive statistics on enrollment, demographics, and completion rates; qualitative responses were thematically analyzed.
  • Ambassador activities included online Canvas modules with reflections, a presentation based on interprofessional experience in a community organization or clinic partnering with UWSOM, and monthly meetings with assigned high school or undergraduate mentees. The project is IRB exempt by the University of Washington.

Limitations

  • The paper states that the study is of a single public medical school and that the small sample size may limit the ability to generalize findings.
  • Evident in the text: the second cohort is ongoing, results are preliminary, and the study does not report long-term outcomes such as whether participants enter medical school or eventually practice in underserved communities.
  • Evident in the text: findings rely on self-reported surveys and participant feedback, with no comparison group described.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.24926/jrmc.v8i3.6797

Cites

0 citation errors · 1 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 43 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    Early support and encouragement enhances students' academic success.

    “We found that early support and encouragement enhances students' academic success.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The majority of the 2024-2026 HCOP cohort expressed a strong interest in serving small town and rural communities after completing their medical education.

    “The majority of the 2024-2026 HCOP cohort expressed a strong interest in serving small town and rural communities after completing their medical education (Fig. 1).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Ambassadors found the program helpful, especially regarding the interprofessional education and mentoring of high school and undergraduate students interested in becoming future PCPs.

    “Ambassadors found the program helpful, especially regarding the interprofessional education and mentoring of high school and undergraduate students interested in becoming future PCPs.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingnone given

    The UWSOM program's pathways have engaged high school and undergraduate students in its summer preparation programs.

    “The UWSOM program's pathways have engaged high school and undergraduate students in its summer preparation programs.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The first Ambassador cohort consists of 21 students in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and physician assistant programs.

    “This cohort consists of 21 students in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and physician assistant programs.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 21
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 12
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the second cohort, 19 out of 29 ambassadors were matched with a mentee, with 17 premedical mentees from the SHPEPLE program.

    “As the program matured, the second cohort had 19 out of 29 ambassadors matched with a mentee, with 17 premedical mentees from the SHPEPLE program.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the first cohort, 89% of participants found the interprofessional experience valuable and that it contributed to their understanding of collaboration and how it may potentially benefit their patients.

    “In the first cohort, 89% of participants found the experience to be valuable and contributed to their understanding of collaboration and how it may potentially benefit their patients.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    In the first cohort, only five ambassadors had mentees.

    “In our first cohort, we only had five ambassadors who had mentees.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Students reported a sense of belonging, community, and engaging in valuable networking.

    “Students reported a sense of belonging, community, and engaging in valuable networking.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    The HCOP Ambassador program has 50 students, most of whom are medical and physician assistant students.

    “The HCOP Ambassador program has 50 students, most of whom are medical and physician assistant students.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Most first-year participants wanted to work in underserved areas, with a minority preferring small cities and rural, unincorporated areas.

    “Most first-year participants wanted to work in underserved areas, a minority preferring small cities and rural, unincorporated areas.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Ambassadors recounted overall positive experiences with other ambassadors and satisfaction of mentoring high school and undergraduate students.

    “Ambassadors highlighted key aspects of their experience, recounting overall positive experiences with other ambassadors and the satisfaction of mentoring high school and undergraduate students.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Three ambassadors in the first cohort needed mentorship from UWSOM faculty and were matched with the faculty they requested.

    “We also had three of the ambassadors who needed mentorship from UWSOM faculty and were matched with the faculty they requested.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The second Ambassador cohort consists of 29 students and began in 2024 and will end in 2026.

    “Our second cohort of 29 students began in 2024 and will end in 2026 (Table 1).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    All participants reported that the online modules were helpful in how they view collaborating with other healthcare professionals and that they would use what they learned to help improve their patient care and outcomes.

    “All participants told us that the modules were helpful in how they view collaborating with other healthcare professionals and that they would use what they learned to help improve their patient care and outcomes.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    HCOP aligns with best practices in addressing the shortage of underserved students in graduate medical education, as institutions are increasingly focusing on holistic support strategies to advance workforce diversity.

    “HCOP aligns with the best practices in addressing the shortage of underserved students in graduate medical education, as institutions are increasingly focusing on holistic support strategies to advance workforce diversity.23,24”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [23]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites [24]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Premisecitation

    To provide the highest-quality health care and overcome health disparities, the workforce must diversify to increase the numbers of providers who are demographically similar to, and most likely to serve, the increasingly diverse U.S. population.

    “To provide the highest-quality health care and overcome health disparities, the workforce must diversify to increase the numbers of providers who are demographically similar to, and most likely to serve, our increasingly diverse U.S. population.6”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [6]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Premisecitation

    Increasing the number of underrepresented physicians requires multifaceted approaches that go beyond recruitment alone.

    “However, increasing the number of underrepresented physicians requires multifaceted approaches that go beyond recruitment alone.13”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [13]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Thorough preparation for the college experience and introduction to the fields of healthcare are critical ingredients of a comprehensive program targeting prospective disadvantaged students.

    “Thorough preparation for the college experience and introduction to the fields of healthcare are critical ingredients of a comprehensive program targeting prospective disadvantaged students.12”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [12]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Barriers to entering health professional schools include lack of financial support for college and professional school and lack of a sense of belonging.

    “Research reveals such barriers as lack of financial support for college and professional school and lack of a sense of belonging.28,29”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [28]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites [29]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Efforts to enhance diversity in the physician workforce have been recognized as crucial in addressing healthcare disparities.

    “Efforts to enhance diversity in the physician workforce have been recognized as crucial in addressing healthcare disparities.17”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [17]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Increased numbers of providers from backgrounds similar to underserved populations should improve patient/provider relationships, resulting in higher patient satisfaction and improved patient outcomes.

    “Increased numbers of providers from similar backgrounds should improve patient/provider relationships resulting in higher patient satisfaction and improved patient outcomes.7,8”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [7]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites [8]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    There are similar programs in medical schools which address the need for specific training to encourage students to be exposed to rural or urban underserved areas.

    “There are similar programs in medical schools which address the need for specific training to encourage students to be exposed to rural or urban underserved areas.20,21”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [20]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites [21]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Barriers to increasing diversity in the healthcare workforce include inadequate academic preparation, lack of social and emotional support, life experiences, lack of familiar role models and mentors, financial challenges, and institutional biases.

    “Some barriers to increasing diversity in the healthcare workforce include inadequate academic preparation, lack of social and emotional support, life experiences, lack of familiar role models and mentors, financial challenges, and institutional biases.10,11”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [10]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites [11]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    HCOP provides students with academic, social support and a sense of community during college.

    “It provides them with academic, social support and a sense of community during college.28,29”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [28]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites [29]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    For students in three of the four pathways (high school, undergraduate, and medical school), the initial numbers are small, but the trajectory demonstrates an encouraging trend.

    “For students in three of the four pathways (high school, undergraduate, and medical school), the initial numbers are small, but the trajectory demonstrates an encouraging trend.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The project is IRB exempt by the University of Washington.

    “The project is IRB exempt by the University of Washington.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Giving attention to students while they are in high school and continuing to follow them through their academic trajectory will lead to increased student success and a sense of belonging, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

    “Consistent with recent research, we found that giving attention to students while they are in high school and continuing to follow them through their academic trajectory will lead to increased student success and a sense of belonging, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.29,30”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [29]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites [30]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Our findings confirm the importance of identifying these students at the high-school level and providing resources and support for their goals.

    “Our findings confirm the importance of identifying these students at the high-school level and providing resources and support for their goals.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: There is a growing gap between racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups, with a decreasing percentage of medical students working with these groups.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Shared learning experiences and collaboration with students from different health professional schools allowed for varied perspectives in coordinated care and allowed future health care providers to be ready to be part of a team clinical setting to provide best care and increased patient outcomes.

    “Shared learning experiences and collaboration with students from different health professional schools allowed for varied perspectives in a setting of coordinated care”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The study is of a single public medical school, so the small sample size may limit the ability to generalize findings.

    “This study is of a single public medical school so small sample size may limit the ability to generalize findings.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    By providing students with rural healthcare exposure, additional resources and mentorship, the diversity of future classes of physicians may improve and better mirror the populations they will serve.

    “By providing students with rural healthcare exposure, additional resources and mentorship, the diversity of future classes of physicians may improve and better mirror the populations they will serve.21,22,24”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [21]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites [22]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites [24]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • Rests on an assumption: Race/ethnicity, immigration status, initially limited language proficiency, and rurality may characterize underrepresented groups more likely to work in medically underserved areas.
27 of 27

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    There is a growing gap between racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups, with a decreasing percentage of medical students working with these groups.

    “There is a gap between racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups are growing with a decreasing percentage of medical students working with these groups.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Medical education is out of reach for many underserved and minority students.

    “Medical education is simply out of reach for many underserved and minority students.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The HCOP project helps reduce health disparities and addresses social determinants of health that disproportionately affect communities of color.

    “At the same time, our project helps reduce health disparities and addresses social determinants of health that disproportionately affect communities of color.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    A gap exists for students who face barriers to entering health professional schools.

    “However, a gap exists for students who face barriers to entering health professional schools.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Race/ethnicity, immigration status, initially limited language proficiency, and rurality may characterize underrepresented groups more likely to work in medically underserved areas.

    “Race/ethnicity, immigration status, initially limited language proficiency, and rurality may characterize underrepresented groups more likely to work in medically underserved areas.”
5 of 5

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • First-cohort program list omits a nursing student

    Minor

    The Results describe the first cohort as consisting of students in four specified programs, but Table 1 lists one nursing student in that cohort.

  • Not every Ambassador was matched with a mentee

    Minor

    Methods say each Ambassador was assigned a mentee, whereas Results say only five Ambassadors in the first cohort had mentees.

2 of 2

Cites

The publisher hasn’t deposited this paper’s reference list.

Research works printed but not linked: 6

  1. Hogan SO, Sangha S, Mason BS. Efforts to recruit diverse resident complements in family medicine. Fam Med. 2023;55(8):518- 524. doi:10.22454/FamMed.2023.664616 · DOI
  2. Russell D, Mathew S, Fitts M, et al. Interventions for health workforce retention in rural and remote areas: a systematic review. Hum Resour Health. 2021; 19:103. doi.org/10.1186/s12960-021-00643-7 · DOI · Paper page
  3. Maestas R, Vaquera GS, Zehr LM. Factors impacting sense of belonging at a Hispanic- serving institution. J Hisp Higher Ed. 2007;6(3):237-256. doi.org/10.1177/15381927073028 · DOI
  4. Strayhorn TL. Measuring the relation between sense of belonging, campus leadership, and academic achievement for African American students at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs): A "Gender Equity" analysis. J Min Achieve Creative Leader. 2020; 1(1): 94-118. doi.org/10.5325/minoachicrealead.1.1.0094 · DOI
  5. Karasz A, Nemiroffb S, Joo P et al. A sense of belonging: Perceptions of the medical school learning environment among URM and Non- URM students. Teach Learn Med. 2024;36(5): 566-576. doi.org/10.1080/10401334.2023.2232347 31. doi.org/10.24926/jrmc.v7i4.6102 · DOI
  6. Morales-Luna KM, Morrison S, Keys T. Addressing the rural and underserved healthcare workforce needs: Residency specialty selection and workforce outcomes of the WWAMI AHEC Scholars Program. J Reg Med Campuses. 2024; 7(4). doi.org/10.24926/jrmc.v7i4.6192 · DOI

Cited by

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Related

Authors
Appel, H. B., McCarthy, J. F., Azhar, S., Coronado, N., & Olson, D. R.
Affiliations
University of Washington (US)
ORCID
Appel, Hoa B.
Venue
Journal of Regional Medical Campuses
Publisher
University of Minnesota
Published
2026-01-15
Volume
8
Issue
3
ISSN
  • 2574-1500 (ISSN-L)
  • 2576-5558
DOI
10.24926/jrmc.v8i3.6797
OpenAlex
W7124761463
Cited by
0
References
0
FWCI
0.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Regional Medical Campuses (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Emergency Medical Services › Global Health Workforce Issues
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Diversity and Career in Medicine
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Medical Education and Admissions
Keywords
primary care physician shortage, rural health workforce, underserved populations, underrepresented students, medical school recruitment, interprofessional education, mentoring, physician assistant students, University of Washington School of Medicine

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