Southern Arkansas University hosted its second year of the Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) Academy, an initiative funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration and coordinated in partnership with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).
HCOP scholars at closing ceremony
The four-week summer session opened in June with remarks from Dr. Jason Franks and closed in July with closing comments from SAU President Dr. Bruno Hicks. The academy introduced 23 rising college freshmen from the Arkansas Delta region to a wide range of healthcare careers through immersive experiences and hands-on training.
Site coordinator Dr. Daniel McDermott, associate professor of biology, welcomed back 2026 HCOP scholars who participated in the program the previous summer. “Our goal of the program was to provide the scholars with skills and experiences that would both help them prepare for college and expose them to several healthcare professions,” McDermott said. “With this being the second year for the scholars, we designed activities to build from the 2025 academy.”
Those activities included several healthcare simulations within SAU’s nursing department, coordinated by Christina Arnold, such as IV insertion and medication administration, birthing simulation, myocardial infarction simulation and pneumonia simulation. Scholars also completed several emergency medicine simulations at the UAMS Simulation Center in Little Rock, giving them hands-on experience in a hospital setting.
SAU biology and chemistry faculty led several scientific experiments, including cellular respiration, karyotyping, muscle contraction measurement and acid titrations. Scholars performed high-level molecular experiments as well, including isolating and identifying bacteria from yogurt using both biochemical techniques and sequencing. A DNA fingerprinting experiment let scholars examine their own genetic fingerprint and apply the technique to solve a simulated crime, demonstrating real-world application.
Scholars were also introduced to epidemiology, performing an outbreak simulation with the UAMS College of Public Health (COPH) and completing a multiweek project that involved collecting and graphing data before presenting on a chosen infectious disease. The UAMS COPH led a biostatistics activity, LBR Fitness held a physical wellness and nutrition session at the Mulerider Activity Center emphasizing the role of personal health in healthcare careers, and Unified CDC Inc. presented a financial literacy session covering budgeting for college and savings.
HCOP scholars presenting during closing ceremony
“The HCOP Academy is about more than introducing scholars to healthcare careers, it is about helping them see themselves as future healthcare professionals,” said Yolanda Carman, HCOP program manager at UAMS APWP. “Through hands-on learning, mentorship, financial literacy and college preparation, we are building their confidence, strengthening their readiness for college, and supporting the development of a diverse healthcare workforce that can serve communities across Arkansas.”
Scholars visited UAMS twice during the program, organized by Yolanda Carman, touring the NICU, College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy and the Department of Neuroscience, along with hands-on activities with the College of Pharmacy and Department of Neuroscience. They also had a question-and-answer session with several anesthesiologists at different stages of their residency and career.
The academy also emphasized college and career preparation, including resume building, an AI-in-education seminar with the SAU Library, an internship and shadowing seminar with SAU Career Services, and a session on preparing for professional schools led by Stephen Attebery, UAMS AHEC Scholars program manager.
“HCOP reflects SAU’s commitment to expanding educational and career opportunities for students from the Arkansas Delta,” said Dr. Abdel Bachri, dean of SAU’s College of Science and Engineering. “By combining rigorous scientific instruction, realistic clinical simulations, professional mentorship and college preparation, the HCOP Academy helps students develop the knowledge, confidence and sense of purpose needed to pursue healthcare careers. These scholars represent the future of healthcare in Arkansas, and investing in their success is an investment in the health and well-being of communities across our state.”
The HCOP Academy is part of a larger effort to build a diverse and resilient healthcare workforce in Arkansas, where access to care and health equity remain persistent challenges. By offering early exposure to healthcare professions, mentorship and college preparedness, the program helps incoming freshmen succeed in college and pursue careers in healthcare. Scholars in the program are followed throughout their freshman year and beyond. Southern Arkansas University extends its sincere appreciation to the HCOP team and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences for their continued partnership and dedication.
About SAU:
Southern Arkansas University provides students with the complete college experience in a caring environment of service, innovation, and community. With more than 100 degrees across four distinct colleges and the School of Graduate Studies, SAU initiates new degree programs to meet the needs of today’s career and professional trends. To learn more about SAU, visit www.saumag.edu.
