More than 100 University of Michigan pre-health students gathered for this year’s Pathways in Health meet and greet, an annual event designed to introduce undergraduates to the wide range of professions that support patient and community care. Developed by the Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education (CIPE) and led by the Pre-Health Initiative workgroup, chaired by Lisa Martin, PhD, Department Chair of Health and Human Services at UM-Dearborn, the event continued its goal of helping students explore diverse career options while learning how collaboration shapes modern healthcare.
This year’s program emphasized the value of early, authentic engagement with professionals across disciplines. “Strengthening interprofessional education across the University of Michigan means recognizing the talent, perspectives, and lived experiences on all three campuses,” said Martin. “Our work with CIPE shows what becomes possible when Dearborn, Flint, and Ann Arbor come together with a shared commitment to preparing future health professionals. This partnership not only expands opportunities for our students, but it reinforces that every part of our university plays a role in shaping a more collaborative and community-centered approach to health.”
Dozens of facilitators participated, including physicians, pharmacists, administrators, social workers, biomedical engineers, radiation therapists, and others. Instead of relying on traditional shadowing, which often presents logistical and equity challenges, the event brought a diverse array of professionals directly to students. This approach allowed for open conversations about day-to-day work, evolving roles within healthcare, and how teamwork influences patient outcomes.
Students shared that these discussions reshaped how they think about their futures. One LSA student noted that nearly every professional they spoke with had explored multiple career paths: “No one’s path or career was perfect, which was refreshing to hear—especially from highly accomplished doctors I would expect to have everything figured out.” Another student reflected on “how much variation and autonomy exists within the health world,” adding that the event affirmed that “there is no one path” toward a meaningful role in healthcare.
CIPE Director Rajesh Mangrulkar, MD, FNAP, highlighted how personal stories help students understand the depth and nuance within each profession. “Stories matter. When students hear what shaped someone’s path into a profession, they begin to appreciate the depth and nuance within every role,” he said. “Bringing this work to Dearborn and Flint allows more students to engage with those stories early in their journey and to understand how collaboration grows from genuine curiosity about one another’s experiences.”
This year’s event also spotlighted the work of the UM-Flint HEART (Health Equity, Action, Research, and Teaching) program, a pro-bono clinic that models interprofessional care in a community setting. HEART students spoke about serving Flint residents and working alongside peers from other programs. “HEART gives our students a chance to learn what interprofessional care really looks like by serving Flint residents directly,” said Elizabeth Yost, PhD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy at UM-Flint. “They understand that equitable, community-focused care grows from showing up, listening, and learning together.”
As CIPE continues its efforts to strengthen interprofessional education across U-M, Pathways in Health remains a key opportunity for students to explore the health professions landscape early in their academic journeys. By building curiosity and elevating both professional and student voices, the event supports a more informed, connected, and community-centered future generation of health leaders.