Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) Pathways Program
The primary goal of the Southwest PA AHEC’s HCOP Pathways Program is to support students from K-12 education who have limited funds or academic preparation in the pursuit of healthcare careers through mentorship, personal and academic advising, financial support resources, and exposure to health professions and community partnerships.
Healthcare is predicted to continue to be one of the fastest growing industries in the United States. This growth reflects the demand for healthcare workers to address the needs of an aging population. As a result, rewarding career opportunities will continue to be available in multiple health care settings.
The recruitment and educational preparation of Middle School and High School students is necessary in creating the workforce that will be needed to provide future services.
Summer Health Career Academy
Southwest Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center (AHEC) holds an annual Summer Health Career Academy. The academy is designed for current ninth and tenth grade students who are interested in learning about opportunities in various health careers and the academic preparation necessary for these careers. Students meet with and talk to practicing health care professionals, engage in health career activities, learn to monitor vital signs, engage in hands on medical procedures, learn basic medical terminology, and receive training in leadership skills.
Applications are accepted from ninth and tenth grade students who reside in the seven southwestern Pennsylvania counties (Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland).
Have you already participated in the Career Academy and want to return as a Mentor? Connect here to apply!
Other Programs
Cardio & Pulm: Heartbeats and Beyond
The Penn State College of Medicine is offering the PULSE (Pre-health Program for Underrepresented Leaders in STEM Education) program for students currently in 8th through 11th grade. This virtual program provides an interactive learning experience focused on the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems. Students will explore key anatomy, understand common disorders, and discover how these vital systems function through engaging lessons led by current medical students.
PULSE 2025 will be held virtually on Mondays from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., running from September 8th to December 8th. An optional in-person event is scheduled for December 15th.
Applications are accepted from March 10th through April 30th. For questions please contact: hmcpulse@gmail.com
princeton review sat/act prep course
Pennsylvania AHEC is offering a discount on the Princeton Review year-long SAT & ACT Self-Paced Prep Course to eligible high school students. The course is originally offered for $499, but through a partnership with AHEC, students will be able to access the course for $150.
Scholarships are available to eligible students. Please contact Lynne Williams at lwilliams@southwestahec.org to learn more.