Middle School

RUUTE Undergraduate Ambassador Program

Invite future health professionals into your classroom! Our RUUTE Undergraduate Ambassador program brings health science–focused lessons to middle schools in rural and underserved areas of Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho during the fall and spring semesters.

Lessons are created and led by undergraduate students, many from rural communities themselves, and are designed to introduce health science topics and encourage middle school students to explore careers in this field. Students participate in hands-on activities and engaging presentations, offered either virtually or in person depending on location and scheduling.

If you are interested in having a RUUTE Undergraduate Ambassador present at your school please see the Outreach & Contact section below.

Outreach & Contact

We welcome opportunities to bring health science education to middle school classrooms across rural and underserved communities in Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. If your school or organization is interested in hosting a RUUTE Undergraduate Ambassador for a presentation or hands-on lesson, we would be happy to connect with you.

For inquiries, scheduling, or additional information about the RUUTE Undergraduate Ambassador program, please contact:

Lucy Ballard
Program Specialist, RUUTE & Regional Affairs
Email: Lucy.Ballard@hsc.utah.edu

Lucy will work directly with you to discuss available topics, scheduling options, and presentation formats (virtual or in-person). We look forward to partnering with you to inspire the next generation of health science professionals.

Student Highlight:

From Undergraduate Ambassador to Medical Student

Colton Gardner

Class of 2029

As a pre-medical student, Colton Gardner volunteered as a RUUTE Undergraduate Ambassador, visiting rural middle schools to talk with students about health and wellness. Those experiences helped him see the impact of health education and fueled his commitment to serving communities in Utah as a future physician.

Visited middle school classrooms in rural Utah to teach about diabetes and healthy lifestyle habits
Helped lead hands-on activities that made health concepts easier for younger students to understand
Gained confidence speaking in front of groups and answering student questions
Saw first-hand how early exposure to health science careers can inspire students from underserved communities
Continued using these communication and teaching skills as a medical student working with patients and peers

“My experience as a RUUTE Undergraduate Ambassador was a very meaningful part of my pre-medical journey. Teaching middle school students in rural Utah about diabetes and healthy lifestyles showed me how powerful education can be in reducing health disparities. RUUTE gave me the chance to directly connect with underserved communities and helped shape my commitment to serving Utah throughout my medical career. RUUTE helped me learn how to communicate health information in simple, actionable ways, and I have been very grateful for the skills that I learned from my time as an ambassador as I have continued my medical education!”
— Colton Gardner, Medical Student & Former RUUTE Undergraduate Ambassador