SMaRT Program

Underrepresented minority (URM) high school students who participated Rockford Pipeline Project the previous year’s were invited to the luncheon and presentations of the high school and college students who participated in the summer science research programs at the University Of Illinois College Of Medicine at Rockford.

Counselor Lunch

This event became a collaborative effort involving most of the programs at the University of Illinois at Rockford including the College of Nursing, the College of Pharmacy, the National Center for Rural Health, the Crawford Health Sciences Library, and the Medical Biotechnology Program. Thirty-six high school and community college counselors attended.

YMCA Black and Latino Achievers Partnership

A new partnership was established to increase the involvement and participation of their middle and high school students in the UHP Pipeline Program.

Rockford Pipeline Project

Originally funded through a partnership grant and institutionalized by COM-UHP, the Rockford Pipeline Project was designed to provide Rockford area high schools exposure and discovery opportunity in a career in medicine and pharmacy as well as provide opportunities to form mentorship relationships.

The Project has four components: Meet the Professional Students, Lawndale Christian Health Center Bus Trip

1. Meet the Professional Students—Medical students and pharmacy students shared their personal stories about their pathway to and experiences in medical school and pharmacy school.
2. Lawndale Christian Health Center Bus Trip—Staff members from the federally qualified health center shared information about their jobs, education, medical experiences, salaries, etc. in order to give the high school students information about the many different jobs available in the health care fields.
3. Meet the Community – Physicians, pharmacists, nurses shared their journeys through health professional school. Speakers highlight the value of finding a mentor and seeking help and advice from others. The event culminates in a networking event where student can find a mentor in the career of choice.
4. College Prep Workshop – Participants along with their parents learn the nuts- and –bolts of applying to college from personal statement writing to the necessary pre-requisites.