The eighth annual University of New Mexico Health Professions Symposium (HPS) 2024 recently concluded, offering a plethora of workshops for students interested in pursuing health care professions. The event saw a record-breaking attendance of 750 individuals, with a diverse range of workshops covering various health care fields.
The symposium was opened by Garnett Stokes, president of UNM, Douglas Ziedonis, executive vice president of UNM Health Sciences Center, and Eve Espey, professor and chair of UNM Health Sciences Department of Ob/Gyn and Family Planning Fellowship Director.
Ziedonis shared his personal journey and encouraged students to consider the multitude of opportunities available in the medical profession. He expressed, "There are so many professions...I encourage you to think open-mindedly as you come into this."
Espey highlighted the urgent need for health care professionals, especially in light of the challenges posed by an aging population and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. She expressed gratitude towards the attendees, stating, "We need you. Thank you so much for being here."
One of the interactive workshops, the suturing workshop, proved to be popular among attendees. Malia Trujillo-Hanawalt, member of the College Outreach Committee and Pre-Optometry Society co-president, emphasized the workshop's importance in helping students determine their career paths, stating, "trying to do sutures is really helpful in determining if this path is for you."
Program leaders and committee members found the Symposium to be inspiring for young individuals interested in health professions. Muskan Katoch, program lead for HPS 2024, shared her personal experience of finding direction through the Symposium, stating, "I think that can be applied not just to medical, but to dental, occupational therapy, specialties, and other occupations that we’re showing here."
Meagan Harenberg, a program committee member, highlighted the Symposium's role in providing crucial information and guidance for students interested in health professions. She shared her journey from being a high school attendee to becoming a committee member, underscoring the Symposium's value in shaping her pre-health journey.
Harenberg expressed, "It’s super rewarding to find out if pre-health is for you...I just think it’s a wonderful process, both being a student coming to a workshop and also being a committee member."
The UNM Health Professions Symposium serves as a valuable resource for students interested in health care careers. For those who missed HPS 2024, there is good news as plans for HPS 2025 are already underway.