High School Offerings
The RUUTE & Regional Affairs Program offers a range of high school pipeline and community engagement opportunities designed to introduce students to health sciences and healthcare career pathways. Whether your school is interested in a single-day experience or an ongoing, student-led program, RUUTE provides flexible options through the Rural Outreach Program (ROP) and High Schoolers 4 Health Sciences (HS4HS). Both programs can be tailored to meet the needs of individual classes, schools, or communities.
RURAL OUTREACH PROGRAM (ROP)
The Rural Outreach Program (ROP) is a student-run initiative that brings hands-on health science learning experiences to high school students across Utah and the Intermountain West. Through school visits that occur throughout the academic year, medical students lead interactive lessons, share their educational journeys, and provide insight into pathways to medical school, including both challenges and rewards.
High school students participate in a combination of short lectures and hands-on activities, often working in pairs. Topics may include:
- Human heart anatomy
- Ultrasound demonstrations
- Blood pressure fundamentals
- Tips for student success
- Mindfulness and stress-management techniques
These sessions are designed to spark curiosity, increase exposure to health sciences, and create meaningful connections between high school students and future health professionals.
If you are interested in having ROP present at your school, please complete our interest form and a member of our team will follow up as soon as possible.
Questions about ROP?
Please contact: Randy.Hansen@hsc.utah.edu
Evan Kirk
Evan Kirk
“ROP has been one of my favorite experiences in medical school so far. It is so much fun to connect with bright young students and pique their interest in medicine/science. Every time I present, my focus is to instill confidence and curiosity. I want all these students to see medical school or related programs as a real possibility for themselves.”
— Evan Kirk, Medical Student & ROP Participant
Jordyn Gagon
Jordyn Gagon
It was a full-circle moment being able to do a ROP trip in my hometown with my old science teachers. The teachers were so excited to show their students, most of whom have never considered healthcare, the different careers and paths you can take in medicine. We were able to talk to multiple students after the presentation who said they were now considering pursuing medicine.
— Jordyn Gagon, Medical Student & ROP Participant
HIGH SCHOOLERS 4 HEALTH SCIENCES (HS4HS)
RUUTE’s High Schoolers 4 Health Sciences (HS4HS) program is a teen-led health science engagement initiative created for rural and underserved communities across Utah. HS4HS is designed and hosted by a committee of high school students, with guidance from an adult advisor and support from the RUUTE team.
Through this program, student committees plan and host Health Science Socials, informal, welcoming events where teens gather with food and drinks while engaging in meaningful conversations with health science professionals. These socials emphasize discussion, relationship-building, and real-world insight into health science careers. The program is intentionally created by teens, for teens.
HS4HS is open to rural and underserved communities throughout Utah.
- Student participants: High school students in grades 9–12 who serve on the HS4HS committee and help design and promote events
- Adult advisors: High school educators, counselors, public librarians, community center leaders, or other trusted adults who assist with hosting and supervision
Student committees are central to planning, topic selection, and peer outreach, while adult advisors help ensure events are held in safe, accessible community locations.
Health Science Social topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Rural healthcare careers featuring a local physician
- Disease prevention with a local epidemiologist
- Seasonal Affective Disorder with a mental health professional
- Building positive mental health with a community organization
- Exploring healthcare career pathways (e.g., family medicine, surgery, neurology, OB/GYN)
RUUTE provides ongoing support to HS4HS programs, including:
- Resources and professional contacts to support Health Science Social planning
- Funding for University of Utah speaker travel and lodging, as well as RUUTE team travel when needed
- Guidance, feedback, and ongoing consultation throughout the planning process
- Evaluation support and assistance with marketing materials, when appropriate
Marketing materials are developed independently unless University of Utah approval is obtained in advance.
Questions about HS4HS?
Please contact: Kacey.Madsen@hsc.utah.edu
Success Academy
Success Academy has been an active partner in RUUTE’s High Schoolers 4 Health Sciences (HS4HS) program, hosting monthly Health Science Cafés throughout the fall semester. These student-centered events introduce teens to a range of health science topics in an engaging, informal setting.
Fall 2025 Health Science Cafés included:
- September: The Effects of Drugs on the Brain
- October: Cadavers in Anatomy
- November: Food Preservation and Food Poisoning
- December: Interactive presentation by the SUU Chemistry Club
Attendance has remained strong, with 59, 62, 53, and 41 students attending each café, averaging approximately 54 students per event. Through HS4HS, Success Academy continues to foster curiosity, discussion, and exposure to health science pathways for local teens.
CONTACT US
Please contact the RUUTE Team with any questions, concerns, or suggestions.
Email: RUUTE@umail.utah.edu