Understanding Pathways to Pediatrics (UPP)

Understanding Pathways to Pediatrics (UPP) is a one-day program that offers undergraduates a chance to explore the field of pediatrics. Participants will gain hands-on experience and engage in discussions about careers in pediatrics with medical students and faculty.
Students gaining first hand pediatric practice Students engaging in conversation about patient care Five people smiling in front of the Health Science Research Facility building

Is UPP right for you?

Considering a career in medicine with a focus on pediatrics? Interested in hands-on learning? Eager to engage with clinicians, medical students, and undergraduates? Then the answer is, "Yes"! Join us for this one day event to learn about the field of pediatrics how you can enter it.

From UPP Participant to M.D. 

If I had one piece of advice to share with anyone struggling as a pre-med student, it would be to find meaning in what you do. When you find meaning, you remember what brought you on this path and what keeps you going. - Kiana Heredia, M.D.

Excerpt from UVM Larner Med Blog entitled: Pre-Med Science Classes Pushed Me Away from Being a Doctor; the Art and Humanism of Medicine Brought Me Back. Read Dr. Heredia's blog post.

The day's activities include:

Clinical Thinking Skills

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Learn how to think like a physician while collaborating to solve a clinical case.

Role Exploration

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You will explore the role of pediatricians in advocating for systemic changes at local, state, and national levels and brainstorming how to approach specific child health issues.

Lunch with medical students

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Meet and have lunch with current medical students to hear their stories about their path to medical school and what it's like to be a medical student. 

Get hands-on in the Clinical Simulation Lab

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Spend time in our state-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Lab learning about procedures and getting a taste of what it's like to be a pediatrician.

Admissions Q and A

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You will have a chance to engage with Larner's Office of Medical School Admissions in a Question and Answer session.

Networking Event

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Round out the day getting to know Larner students and faculty at a dinner and end-of-day mixer.

Application Currently Closed

Please check back for future event application or contact Mindy Bean at mindy.bean@med.uvm.edu  

Three people practicing hands-on treatment on a medical dummy

Related Programs

The UPP program received positive feedback from participants after its first year and is anticipated to recur yearly in the spring. Many attendees have gone on to apply for the PATH program to deepen their exploration of pediatrics.

PATH Program Information