Calling all future doctors, nurses, pharmacists and others interested in a career in the medical field, The UNM Health Professions Symposium is all about giving students — of all ages in New Mexico — the opportunity to explore all things related to working in medicine.
In its third year, the Symposium is an all-day event with over 90 workshops on various health professions topics. High school and undergraduate students are invited to learn about different health professions: medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, radiologists, dentists, hygienists and many more—and discover various pathways into the field of their choice.
The Symposium is also a great opportunity to network with individuals—fellow students with similar interests and professionals working in varied medical fields.
Last year's event attracted nearly 900 interested high school and college students. They were able to attend as many as five workshops over the course of the day.
There was also an information session over the 90-minute lunch break where students had a chance to speak directly to representatives from almost 40 different programs and student organizations.
New this year during the Symposium will be screenings of the documentary The Providers. Set against the backdrop of the physician shortage and opioid epidemic in rural America, The Providers follows three healthcare providers in northern New Mexico. They work at El Centro, a group of safety-net clinics that offer care to all who walk through the doors, regardless of ability to pay. Amidst personal struggles that reflect those of their patients, the journeys of the providers unfold as they work to reach rural Americans who would otherwise be left out of the healthcare system. With intimate access, the documentary shows the transformative power of providers’ relationships with marginalized patients.
A question and answer session with individuals featured in the film will follow the screening.
The UNM Health Professions Symposium will be held Saturday, March 30 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Student Union Building (SUB). This year, the student organized Symposium is expected to attract around 1000 participants.
The event is free, but pre-registration is required. Visit the Symposium website at hps.unm.edu for more information and to register. Registration closes on Friday, March 8.
