By Nicholas Schou

On June 21, UC Irvine’s Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing participated in the second annual COHS Interprofessional Education and Practice (IPEP) Collaborative in partnership with the Center for Educational Partnerships “Choose Your Own Major” conference, a community outreach event aimed at empowering underserved high school students throughout Orange County to explore careers in healthcare.

The event, held on campus at the Sue Gross Auditorium, brought together over 154 students from schools across Orange County as well as educators, healthcare professionals, and eager high school students for a day of interactive learning, mentorship and career exploration. It provides a critical function by increasing accessibility and educational pathways for the next generation of healthcare workers and leaders.
“Our mission is to advance healthcare practice through curriculum development, community outreach, research dissemination, and professional development,” said Dr. Au, the COHS IPEP Collaborative Faculty Director and Assistant Clinical Professor for the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing. “This event aligns perfectly with our goal to increase access to healthcare professions, especially for underserved communities.”

The conference, now in its second year, saw a significant increase in attendance compared to its inaugural edition, reflecting its growing relevance and impact. Over 150 high school students from 10 local schools including Anaheim High School, Katella High School, Loara High School, Magnolia High School, and Cypress High School participated in a series of immersive activities designed to showcase the diverse opportunities within healthcare careers.

The event was structured around five interactive stations, each hosted by different schools within UCI, including Nursing, Medicine, Pharmacy, Public Health, and the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute. Students rotated through these stations, engaging in hands-on activities tailored to each discipline. The participation of so many of UC Irvine’s healthcare schools was critical to the event’s success, said Dr. Au. We are at a critical moment for healthcare development,” she explained, “and interdisciplinary collaboration is at the heart of innovation and progress in this field.”

At the Nursing station, students participated in a low-fidelity simulation exercise, gaining insight into the daily responsibilities of nurses and the various career paths available in the field. The Medicine station offered demonstrations on medical procedures like suturing, providing students with a practical understanding of clinical practices. For its part, the Pharmacy station brought a fun twist with a pharmaceutical-themed Jeopardy game and a Mad Libs activity centered around patient counseling, emphasizing the importance of communication skills in healthcare. Students at the Public Health station explored epidemiology through a visually engaging “bubble activity,” simulating the spread of diseases using bubbles as a visual aid.

The Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute took a culinary approach, demonstrating how dietary choices impact health outcomes with a hands-on session making Mediterranean-inspired spring rolls. Throughout the day, students were also able to interact with current UCI students and faculty members, gaining valuable insights and mentorship. “Many high school students are unaware of the breadth of opportunities available within healthcare,” said Dr. Au. “This event aimed to bridge that gap by providing firsthand experiences and fostering mentorship relationships.”
The culminating event of the day was a student panel where attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback. This interactive session not only empowered students to voice their interests but also guided future program development based on their input.

“The Sue & Bill Gross Nursing Simulation Center is a great setting to introduce the participants to the role of nursing within of the healthcare team,” said Jocelyn Ludlow, an associate clinical professor and simulation director with the nursing school. “It is designed to represent a real hospital with all the equipment and supplies nurses use to provide care to patients. Here at UCI, the Nursing Simulation Center hosts interprofessional learning activities that bring learners from different schools within the COHS together to practice teamwork and communication.”
“This was a wonderful exchange of energy and knowledge,” concurred fellow assistant professor Lindsay Holt. “School of Nursing students shared their backgrounds, experiences, and passion for nursing, which was met by excitement and engagement amongst the high schoolers. It was powerful to see the impact students have on each other when exposing them to potential career paths and opportunities.”

Looking ahead, the planning committee intends to expand the reach of this initiative with continued support and collaboration from partners like the UC Irvine College of Health Sciences and Early Academic Outreach Program and local high schools, hopefully reaching even more students in the coming years.
Following the event, Dr. Au reflected on its potential impact. “The Choose Your Own Major conference exemplifies UCI’s commitment to accessibility and educational equity,” she remarked. “By nurturing the next generation of healthcare leaders and professionals, we are paving the way for a more diverse and inclusive healthcare workforce.”