Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP)

Presenter: Daphney Waller, Nursing, Global Public Health Scholars

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For my practicum, I participated in the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). The purpose of this program is to increase diversity in healthcare by providing underrepresented and socioeconomically disadvantaged students with the tools and experiences needed to succeed in health professions. As an intern, I participated in academic "courses" including anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, and statistics, as well as seminars on scientific writing, health disparities, and determinants of health. We also did clinical simulations, where we interviewed standardized patients and practiced real-world clinical scenarios. We also did a lot of hands-on activities like suturing, physical therapy workshops, and vision impairment simulations. 

Through all of the lectures and simulations on addiction, poverty, and systemic health inequities, I developed a deeper understanding of how social determinants can shape health outcomes, especially for marginalized populations. During these experiences, we were encouraged to think critically about the root causes of health disparities and how things like policy, education, etc can impact long-term health. This practicum made me even more committed to public health because it taught me about the need for more culturally competent care and health advocacy, especially from health professionals from diverse backgrounds. SHPEP also made me more passionate about pursuing nursing and helped me see how I can potentially contribute to reducing health disparities through clinical practice, education, and leadership in the future. This program made me feel more empowered and prepared to work in health care and advocate for underrepresented communities.