Welcome to Creighton University's Pipeline to Success Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) where it is our mission to provide students from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds the skills needed to successfully compete for, enter and ultimately, graduate from health professional schools. |
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Creighton University Pipeline to Success Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) 2021-2022 Health Careers Ambassador Program |
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HCOP’s COVID-19 Response The HCOP team has been closely monitoring the latest coronavirus (COVID-19) updates as well as real-time Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local, state and federal recommendations. We understand the ability to adapt to our world’s current situation may be difficult for most individuals. The staff of HCOP want you to know that you can count on us to be there for you and your families. To minimize the risk of exposure in our community, all in-person HCOP sessions have been CANCELLED since March 2020. Does this mean that HCOP ends…the answer is NO. Our programming activities continue. |
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“Pick Me, Pick Me!” - Building A Standout Health Professional Application Workshop Let’s be honest!! Health professions schools are not only costly but are highly competitive as well. Whether a student is a first-time applicant or a re-applicant, it is crucial that each student ensures that their application stands out among thousands of applications received by their institution of choice. One important fact for students to keep in mind when completing their application is that no two applications are the same, which is why the best way to stand out is not to compare yourself to other applicants but to focus more on presenting a holistic picture and the journey that led you to applying to health professional school. The HCOP team launched a new academic/professional workshop titled: Building a Stand-Out Application for Health Professional School. |
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A (School) Year in Review - HCOP Mentoring HCOP’s vision statement says that HCOP “endeavors to provide a multitude of program activities that cultivate the union of academics and interpersonal experiences within each student that will prove to be a vital tool along the journey to success.” A key part of fulfilling the “interpersonal experiences” aspect of this vision is the HCOP mentoring program. When the 2021-2022 Health Careers Ambassador Program began back in November 2021, mentoring groups were formed. Each group consists of a health profession student in the “mentor” role, with about 5-6 student mentees who are a mix of high school and undergraduate level. This group mentoring model allows participants to form relationships with one another and gain valuable insight into the college and career process. Mentoring groups meet twice each month via Zoom to discuss mentoring topics such as hidden curriculum, test anxiety, and asking for help. Over the course of the past 6 months, mentoring groups have logged over 50 hours of mentoring time. |
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Conceive It, Believe It, Achieve It! Success is not obtained overnight…which is why planning is key for every student who wishes to succeed academically and professionally. Not having a plan can be an extremely REACTIVE way to approach life; whereas, developing a plan reframes that in order for a student to become PROACTIVE in their academic and professional journey. Through planning it allows the student to: • Focus on specific academic and professional priorities. • Steer clear of things that will not help in reaching their goals. • Understand that change is good and offers an alternate perspective. • Provide motivation and encouragement along the journey. • Allow a method of tracking accomplished goals and goals that are still in the works. And who better to help fifty-five (55) HCOP high school, undergraduate, and health professional students “create” a plan than Ms. Gwynette Williams – Leadership and Professional Development Guru (back by popular demand). |
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Heart Ministry Center - A Community Health Center That “Walks the Walk”!! Community health centers help increase access to critical primary care by reducing obstacles and barriers such as cost, lack of insurance, distance, and language for their patients. In doing so, community health centers have a positive impact on the health outcomes of the communities they serve and beyond. This leads us to a very special HCOP session with an organization that is “close to the heart” for the HCOP team. Heart Ministry Center is not only an official HCOP community partner but a community health center that has had an astounding impact in the North Omaha, Nebraska community for decades. |
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Virtual Clinical Experiences with BodyInteract™ Since 2019, HCOP programming has been virtual. One challenge that comes with a virtual program is providing students with valuable clinical experiences. Since 2020 HCOP has partnered with BodyInteract™ Virtual Patient Simulator, a web-based program that allows students to assume the role of a healthcare provider. HCOP high school and undergraduate students were able to take part in virtual clinical experiences on April 2nd and 9th, respectively. During these sessions, Dr. John Stone, MD, PhD instructed the students through the simulated case and provided first-hand knowledge, with answers to clinical questions. The case for this month involved a virtual patient who came to the hospital with severe wheezing. |
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Goodbye for Now - HCOP 2021-2022 Ambassador Awards and Recognition Ceremony On Saturday, April 30th, HCOP will host the Awards and Recognition Ceremony for the 2021-2022 Health Careers Ambassador Program. The ceremony will be a mixture of celebration and looking back over a successful Ambassador program. HCOP staff will have a closing message for the students, as well as a recap of all the programming that took place during the session. Students will hear a message from keynote speaker Dr. Larry Figgs and will have a chance to reflect on what the program has meant to them over the past 7 months. Students will meet one last time with their mentoring groups, and even get the chance to play some games and take part in a virtual dance party! |
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ADIEU!! IMPORTANT UPDATE: Saturday, April 30, 2022 will be Ms. Aminatu Issaka’s last day as the Program Supervisor of the Creighton University Pipeline to Success Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) at Creighton University. She states the following: “While I am super-duper excited about my next venture, I will miss each of you very much!!! Each of you have made my time here at Creighton University and with HCOP sooooooo rewarding! It has truly been a pleasure working/connecting with each one of you, and I hope we can continue to keep in touch in the future. Thank you for the support, guidance, and encouragement!! And in true HCOP form, "Once HCOP, Always HCOP!!"“ Beginning May 1, 2022: For future questions/inquiries related to the Creighton University Pipeline to Success Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP), kindly contact Christina Jelinek at ChristinaJelinek@creighton.edu or 402.280.2312. or Dr Sade Kosoko-Lasaki, Program Director, at 402.280.2332. We wish Ms. Issaka well and God’s speed! |
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HCOP Scholly® Referral Incentive Program Refer a friend and earn a 12-month subscription to Scholly®! Here at HCOP, we firmly believe that sharing is caring. Refer one (1) friend who turns in a completed HCOP application packet, and we’ll register you for a free 12-month subscription to Scholly® ! |
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Pipeline to Success HCOP Student Spotlight |
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Nelson Mandella Creighton University – School of Pharmacy and Health Professions – Omaha, Nebraska
Third Year Pharmacy Student – P3 Health Professional Health Careers Ambassador Program Participant Question 1: What health professional career are you pursuing and why? Answer: “I am currently pursuing a health professional career to become a pharmacist. I would love to be a pharmacist because it gives me an opportunity to provide the most suitable care for my patients regarding recommending the most beneficial medication with the least amount of side effects nor worsening of preexisting conditions." Question 2: What is your biggest accomplishment? Answer: "My biggest accomplishment is my daughter. She provides the driving force I need to go through school. Being a parent is not easy but being a parent to a toddler all through professional school is definitely not easy. Glad we are almost at the end of the tunnel.” Question 3: What do you enjoy during your free time? Name one interesting thing about you. Answer: "One interesting fact about myself is that most people in my network tell me my first appearance presents me as less of a talker, but when they get to know me, they realize I am never short of words in any circumstance.” |
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Sydney Hogan University of Nebraska - Lincoln - Lincoln, NE
Junior Undergraduate Health Careers Ambassador Program Participant Question 1: What health professional career are you pursuing and why? Answer: “I'm pursuing a career in medicine, more specifically, I hope to pursue a career in obstetrics and gynecology. I'm a large advocate for women's health and have had a passion for better understanding this area of medicine since beginning to experience it for myself. I believe that women's reproductive health is beginning to gain recognition and change in better ways for the near future. By acknowledging the importance of various experiences, we can help bridge a path to better inclusion." Question 2: What is your biggest accomplishment? Answer: “My biggest accomplishment is my education. I am a first-generation student and having the opportunity to pursue higher education is very important to me. I've grown and have gained knowledge that my younger self would be so proud of. I've worked jobs that I never imagined I would love as much as I do. And I have immersed myself into fields where I originally had no interest. I've accomplished something no one else in my family has. For this, I'm grateful to have programs, such as HCOP to help further my success.” Question 3: What do you enjoy during your free time? Name one interesting thing about you. Answer: “I love reading and working out in my free time!” | | |
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The HCOP Team Members Sade Kosoko-Lasaki, MD HCOP Program Director 402-280-2124 Aminatu Issaka, MFS HCOP Program Supervisor 402-280-4112 Christina Jelinek, BS HCOP Academic Success Counselor 402-280-2312 Olu Ekundayo, MD, MBA, DrPH Evaluation Specialist |
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@CreightonUniversityHCOP Be sure to tag us using the HCOP Official Hashtag: #TeamHCOP |
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Currently accepting applications for the 2022 Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) – Structured Summer Program. CLICK HERE TO APPLY > |
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