WesternU celebrates SHPEP graduates 

Western University of Health Sciences celebrated 92 graduates of the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP), a six-week course for aspiring health care professionals. WesternU’s Office of Academic Community Engagement (ACE) held a ceremony recognizing the SHPEP graduates on July 17, 2026, on the WesternU California campus. 

WesternU College of Dental Medicine Dean and lead Principal Investigator Elizabeth Andrews, DDS, MS, addressed the crowd of scholars and family members assembled in person and on Zoom about their future in health care professions.  

“The scholars we celebrated today represent the future of health care,” Dean Andrews said. “Over the past six weeks, they have demonstrated extraordinary dedication, resilience, and passion for service. We are proud to have supported their growth through SHPEP and are excited to see the positive impact they will make as future health professionals and leaders in their communities.”  

ACE recognized College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP) Dean Lisa Warren, DO ’01, MBA, College of Health Sciences Dean Gail Evans Grayson, EdD, MA, the 12 core faculty members and 53 additional members of faculty from the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, College of Dental Medicine, College of Optometry, College of Health Sciences and College of Pharmacy for their contributions to the program. Eighty-three WesternU health professions students, eight staff members and eight Residential Peer mentors selected from last year’s top scholars rounded out the SHPEP 2026 supporters.  

“The past 10 years of SHPEP have been transformative for the scope and support of pathway programing offered by WesternU to future health care students,” said COMP Professor and Vice Provost Elizabeth Rega, PhD. “The generosity and skills of the assembled team of faculty leaders, supported by staff and WesternU students, were the key to this program’s success.”     

WesternU is one of 10 SHPEP sites nationwide in a program administered jointly by the American Association of Medical Colleges (ADEA) and American Dental Education Association, with core support from by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and significant underwriting from WesternU. College students from California and across the nation were selected competitively out of more than 900 applicants. They gained hands-on experience across four tracks—medical, dental medicine, optometry and physical therapy—while learning from WesternU faculty, staff and student mentors in a case-based curriculum.  Three advanced high school students from Pomona Unified School District were also selected to participate and thrived in the program.  

From practicing lifesaving bleeding control techniques in the Sarkaria Family Patient Simulation Suite and exploring the musculoskeletal system, to pediatric optometry, oral health education, and physical therapy skills using mobility equipment and balance technology, SHPEP scholars discovered what it takes to provide compassionate, patient-centered care. For four weeks of the six-week program, most scholars resided in the dorms at nearly Pitzer College. Taking meals and weekends together, they developed bonds that for many will last a lifetime.

Each SHPEP graduate received a certificate of completion, and some were also awarded special acknowledgements, including those taking top academic honors.   

SHPEP graduate Simone Davis, a sports medicine student at North Carolina Central University, was part of the physical therapy track.  

“The bond we have is going to be forever,” Davis said. “I’m going to take these lessons when I go to PT school. This encouraged me to continue with PT.”  

Davis said she signed up for SHPEP to grow as a student and to build her resume.  

“I wanted to grow as a leader and grow in my professionalism,” she said. “This has been great. I love it. This has been my best summer.”