The Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) at the University of Iowa is a free, six-week summer program for undergraduate students interested in health professional careers. Students who complete our program are guaranteed an admissions interview at the College of Dentistry and College of Pharmacy. Student applications in the Carver College of Medicine will receive priority.
SHPEP Podcast
SHPEP alum Hailey Phillips, Hiancha Pinho, and Meranda Pham join co-host Teneme Konne to discuss the program, what it accomplishes for them, and how mentorship — examples of success in healthcare — is crucial for those who are underrepresented in medicine.
Iowa City: A Great Big Storm
What happens when a cold front meets a warm front? A great big storm. That's what it's like when you visit the curious communities of Iowa City. There are things you expect, and things that surprise you. That moment when you say to yourself, "Really? I'm in Iowa City?" is that Great Big Storm.
Everything I wish I knew as a Pre-Med
Dr. Denise Martinez, who previously served as Associate Dean at UI Carver College of Medicine and SHPEP Iowa PI, currently serves as the Associate Dean at UC Riverside School of Medicine. She shares her personal journey, offering invaluable insights drawn from her experiences and sharing what she wished she'd known during her own pre-med years.
SHPEP 2017
This informative video highlights the enriching and transformative SHPEP Iowa program, encapsulating the diverse narratives and heartfelt testimonials shared by students from the 2017 cohort.
Summer 2023
"I recommend SHPEP Iowa because it was an incredible experience for me to gain insights about health care and grow academically. SHPEP Iowa enabled me to develop professional and leadership skills. I now feel more confident in my abilities to communicate well in professional settings. In addition, SHPEP allowed me to form connections with people who share the same passion for helping others. I love how diverse my cohort was, and everyone had a unique perspective to bring to the table. I was able to learn something new from everyone."
Scholar Testimonials
"Participating in the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) has been a transformative and empowering experience for me. SHPEP offers much more than just academic enrichment. It provides a nurturing environment, mentorship, exposure to diverse opportunities, and a sense of community that is especially crucial for first-generation students. My experience with SHPEP has been transformative, instilling in me the confidence and skills necessary to pursue my dreams in the healthcare field."
"SHPEP Iowa gave me insight to the career field that I want to pursue. Seeing the experience that Dental students get at Iowa really made me inspired to dedicate myself to this program. Along with that, the ability to talk with the directors of the College of Dentistry grew my confidence in my abilities since they were nothing but supportive. Being a participant of SHPEP Iowa, I also made some really great friends and the 6 weeks I spent with SHPEP were truly life changing."
Explore Iowa City
Our campus seamlessly blends into downtown Iowa City, which makes it easy to get wherever you need to go. The center of it all is just across the street from a lively downtown with all the restaurants, entertainment, and amenities you'd find in a big city.
Iowa City is both a destination for artists from around the world and the home of Hawkeye sports. Whatever you're interested in, there's a place for you in Iowa City. And all of this activity lives in one accessible, welcoming place.
Arts and Culture
For decades, Iowa City has been a gathering place for artists, creating a cultural hub that’s more accessible than any major city.
Downtown Iowa City
See what the downtown area, which is just across the street from the heart of campus, has to offer.