- Early on in their training, medical students at the 91ÁÔÆæ Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine are exposed to health systems, population health and non-medical drivers of health. Because of this unique academic-industry partnership, students learn how physicians and payers work together to address social needs.
- Nurses are integral to an evolving health care system. As the health care system expands, more nurses will be required. The Humana Institute leverages its academic-industry partnership to provide real-world experiences for nursing students. Student experiences span interprofessional primary care delivery, nurse managed care and telehealth. This engagement emphasizes interprofessional training and primary care delivery.
- Through the Humana Institute’s academic-industry projects, students at the College of Optometry participate in the use of teleretinal imaging to enhance screening for diabetic retinopathy.
- In addition, the Institute works with the College of Pharmacy to support the integration of pharmacists into primary care practices.
Training & Development
Student Opportunities
Summer Health Research Program (SHERP)
Every year the Interprofessional Summer Health Research Program (SHERP) invites students from across the 91ÁÔÆæ's various colleges to participate in this competition. Participants will work together in groups to design innovative solutions to today's most pressing health care issues. The culmination of SHERP is a 'Shark Tank' during which the students will pitch their solutions to a panel of expert judges. This platform brings students of varied professional backgrounds to collaborate and find creative solutions to advance health care.
Humana Institute Graduate fellowship in Health care (HIGH)
The Humana Institute Graduate fellowship in Health care (HIGH) is a year-long opportunity for graduate students passionate about health care innovation. This fellowship provides an immersive experience where students explore the dynamic intersections of academia and health care through a focused research project. The program offers a unique opportunity for graduate students to conduct focused research, receive mentorship from industry experts and faculty members, and contribute to the advancement of evidence-based health care. At the end of the year, students are expected to present their findings at a regional/national conference and co-author a white paper and/or journal manuscript.
Students In Action
SHERP Competition Winning Team - "Disrupting Current Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Patterns," was comprised of Chijioke Okeke, Guillermo Saldaña, Cecilia Pham, and Andy Castañeda.
Workforce Development
The Humana Institute is transforming health care professions’ education in multiple sectors.
Integration of Promotoras de Salud in Population Health Management
91ÁÔÆæ Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine and Humana Population
Health researchers are working to better understand the role and importance of Community
Health Workers (CHWs). This research aims to view: the role and scope from the CHWs
perspective; the community stakeholders’ perception of CHWs; additional gaps in health
care delivery that the CHWs can fill; and to understand from the perspective of clients/patients
the role that CHWs play, including engagement opportunities and barriers.
Legacy Programs
Dash Undergraduate Summer Research Program
Offered in the Summer of 2020, the DASH program provided students exposure to data science with the aim of increasing their understanding of data modeling and its application to health care. Students studied graphical representations of causal pathways in the contexts of health care, city simulation and predictive analytics.
Nursing Field Experience
In 2019 and 2020, the Nursing Field Experience was offered biannually in July and November to provide practical field experience to students in the Gessner College of Nursing. Students shadowed nurses in home health settings and assisted in telehealth care managed visits.
Nursing Simulation Lab Training
Started in August of 2019, this program offered Gessner College of Nursing students and Humana nurses opportunities for simulation lab training to co-develop simulations.
Non-clinical Summer Internship Training for College of Business and College of Technology Students
In 2020, the Humana Institute facillitated non-clinical summer internships with Humana that provided Bauer College of Business and College of Technology students exposure to the health care industry and valuable hands-on experience in market research, data analysis and project management.