PEP is a formalized two and a half year (five semesters) mentoring and exploration opportunity. The intent of the program is to introduce students to the complex realities of patient care and a career as a physician, while allowing them to witness the tremendous responsibility entrusted to physicians and healthcare professionals. The program is a combination of physician-led small group discussions, independent study and reflection, medical student mentoring and opportunity for shadowing in clinical settings.  The small group topics are based on current challenges in health in our society, professionalism and the role of physicians and other health care providers in addressing these issues.  Ideally, students will also begin to appreciate the important role physicians and healthcare professionals have in advocating for the health of individuals and families as well as that of our community.  

All of PEP’s values, objectives, curriculum, assignments, and deliverables link to AHEC’s eight focus areas: 
 Behavioral Health Integration: services that better address the needs of individuals with mental health and substance use conditions, including training for health professionals to address burnout and resiliency

• Interprofessional Education/Interprofessional Practice: team-based care delivery, patient-centered care, effective teamwork
• Connecting Communities and Supporting Health Professionals/Community Health Workers (CHWs): increase training and development of paraprofessionals who serve as connectors between health professionals and the community
• Virtual Learning and Telehealth: leverage technology to improve curricula and community-based experiential training
• Social Determinants of Health: economic stability, education, social and community context, health and health care, neighborhood and built environment
• Cultural Competency: recognize and address the unique culture, language and health literacy of diverse consumers and communities, diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Medical Practice Transformation: quality improvement, care coordination, cost containment, rural healthcare, primary care, care for underserved/disadvantaged populations, patient-centered care, team-based care
• Current and Emerging Health Issues: opioids and substance use disorders, oral health as part of overall health, oral health integration, COVID-19

PEP requires a commitment of time and effort.  PEP participants are required to attend at least 20 hours per semester of a combination of job shadowing, individual study and discussion sessions. The curriculum includes required and elective components.   PEP students are required to write a reflection each semester. 
 

Application to PEP

PEP has a holistic selection process of up to twelve students per year which occurs during the fall of the second year at UVM.

We recommend that all applicants complete the AAMC's Anatomy of an Applicant Self-Assessment Guide to reflect on the Core Competencies that represent the skills, knowledge and abilities that health care providers should possess.

(Note that studying abroad does not affect a participant's standing in PEP.)

Acceptance to PEP

PEP applications are reviewed by a Selection Committee that may include faculty members from Larner College of Medicine, Patrick Leahy Honors College, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, and the Health Professions Advisor from the Career Center.

In addition to showing academic capability and a clear interest in pursuing a career in healthcare, the PEP Selection Committee is seeking candidates who: 

• Exude curiosity for learning
• Demonstrate a collaborative spirit
• Manifest professionalism in their interactions
• Show strong evidence of reliability
• Communicate a commitment to participate fully in the program for the remainder of their college career
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to UVM’s mission to promote diversity, equity and inclusion
• Demonstrate maturity and professionalism
• Show a passion for community service
• Have a genuine desire to learn more about the US healthcare system

The PEP Committee will review applications and invite about 24 students to an interview in late October/early November. Once final grades are available for the fall semester, we will make our final decisions.

Applicants are notified of their status by early January. 

To Remain in PEP

Participants are expected to honor all requirements of the program each semester. If a student’s participation or professionalism does not meet the program’s expectations, the student may be placed on probationary status or be released from the program. Students are also expected to sustain a positive academic trajectory that supports a successful application to medical, or other health professions graduate, school.  If there are concerns about a student’s academic trajectory, the PEP AHEC faculty will encourage the participant to access UVM’s academic support resources.  Following a probationary period, program administrators will re-evaluate the student’s progress. The student may be placed on probationary status or be released from the program.

Consideration for admission to UVM LCOM

The benefit of participating in PEP centers on the mentored exposure to medicine received over two and a half years. These experiences are likely to enhance and strengthen an application to medical school.

LCOM admission decisions are made solely by the LCOM Admission Committee.

Visit UVM Honors College for application and more information

Those who successfully complete the Pre-Medical/Pre-Health Enhancement Program (PEP) will grow in their understanding of health care delivery and enhance their candidacy for medical schools/health professions training programs, including Larner College of Medicine. Students who complete PEP are named UVM PEP Scholars upon graduation. At commencement, green and white cords are worn by students who earn the PEP Scholar distinction.