Health Careers Access Program

 

The Health Careers Access Program (NC-HCAP) is your pathway to a future in healthcare. Since 1971, this medical field access program has empowered underrepresented and disadvantaged students to pursue their dreams of allied health careers. 

Whether exploring pharmacy, veterinary medicine, public health or other health professions, NC-HCAP provides the resources, support and opportunities you need to succeed. Start your journey at UNCP and take the next step toward a rewarding career in the healthcare industry.

MAJOR SERVICES

UNC Pembroke's Health Careers Center offers campus-based activities to identify, recruit, motivate and strengthen academic and basic skills backgrounds of underrepresented minority and disadvantaged students for health training and professional health programs. Serving the southeast region of North Carolina, the program offers a variety of services and activities.

Services & Activities Include

  • Information on over 200 different health careers;
  • Counseling services on health career opportunities, options and financial aid resources;
  • Enrichment activities and services for minority students enrolled in pre-profession health programs;
  • Enrichment workshops, professional study guides and review materials to assist student in preparing for health professions schools admissions tests (i.e. MCAT. DAT,PCAT, etc.);
  • Seminars on admission procedures, entrance exams, curriculum requirements, and financial aid for health profession schools and graduate biomedical science programs;
  • Educational field trips to medical centers and health professions schools in North Carolina;
  • Special projects, with middle and high school, college and community groups; and
  • Sponsorship of Health Careers Club for enrolled health science majors and others interested in pursuing careers in the health profession.

Get a Headstart

The Health Careers Access Program offers opportunities to explore your desired field before graduation. Participate in an internship or join the Clinical Health Summer Program to gain practical skills.
Close-up of a stethoscope and a name badge reading ‘Hello my name is Intern’ on blue medical scrubs.

Pre-Health Internships

Group of medical students or interns in scrubs gathered around a table, listening to a peer giving a presentation at a whiteboard.

Clinical Health Summer Program (CHSP)

Are you ready to gain real-world experience in healthcare? The Clinical Health Summer Program (CHSP) is your chance to explore what it’s like to be a health professional. This seven-week, full-time paid opportunity runs from May through June and is designed for underrepresented and disadvantaged students at UNCP. Take the next step in your journey toward a career in healthcare with CHSP!

Early Assurance & Pathway Programs

UNC Pembroke’s Assurance & Pathway Programs are designed to support students from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds who aspire to careers in health and medical professions.

Through partnerships with professional schools, early assurance opportunities and academic advising, these programs provide structured pathways to medical, dental, physician assistant and other graduate programs. Students also benefit from support services like HCAP, which offers guidance, resources and preparation to help them succeed in competitive healthcare fields.

View Transfer Pathways
Lindsey Branch UNC Pembroke Biology Student

Faculty & Staff

Melissa Vance, headshot

Melissa Vance

Administrative Support Associate


910.521.6673
All Faculty & Staff

Meet the Program Alumni

Learn more about the Brave Alumni who succeeded in this program before you. Explore the programs and schools they attended to see what’s possible.

In 2022, 31 HCAP students found success in a professional program.

Name Name Professional School
Chan Chavis Chiropractic Medicine Life University
Maya Grimes Dental Medicine East Carolina University
Hunter Jolicouer Dental Medicine Hunter Jolicouer
Yaqot Nasser Medical School East Carolina University
Katy Flax Medical School East Carolina University
Caleb Skyes Medical School University of Buffalo
Jessica Dahringer Medical School Virginia Commonwealth University
Ashley Reeves Medical School East Carolina University
Carson Powell Nuclear Medicine Technology UNC Chapel Hill
Peyton Jacobs Occupational Therapy Methodist University
Lexus Freeman Occupational Therapy Methodist University
Nakiya Locklear Pharmacy Campbell University
Olivia McCoy Pharmacy Campbell University
Crystal Flinchum Pharmacy Creighton University
Jocelyn Bullard Pharmacy South University
Cameron Wade Physical Therapy Methodist University
Erika Hunt Physical Therapy Methodist University
Jacob Morrison Physical Therapy Texas Womens University-Houston
Faith Johnson Physical Therapy Methodist University
Glorimar Cruz-Pagan Physician Assistant Gardner Web University
Jada Jacobs Physician Assistant Methodist University
Savannah Jones Physician Assistant Methodist University
Olivia Bullard Physician Assistant Methodist University
Hannah Bullard Physician Assistant Methodist University
Luke Brooks Physician Assistant Methodist University
Hannah Malcolm Physician Assistant Methodist University
Brian Matt Lowry Podiatry Des Moines
Allyson Chavis Veterinary Medicine NC State University CVM
Allyson Lane Veterinary Medicine NC State University CVM
Nikki Clayman Veterinary Medicine Royal Veterinary College

In 2021, 26 HCAP students found success in a professional program.

Name Program Professional School
Garrett Zane Barnette Dental East Carolina University
Linda Council Medical School UNC Chapel Hill
Natalie Almond Medical School UNC Chapel Hill
Yara Abumohsen Medical School UNC Chapel Hill
Austin Locklear Medical School Brody School of Medicine, ECU
Myla Clark Occupational Therapy Lenoir Rhyne University
Abby Townsend Occupational Therapy Lenoir Rhyne University
Brea Brown Occupational Therapy Howard University
Rawan Abumohsen Optometry Salus, Drexel University
Jacob Hunt Pharmacy Wingate University
Jordan Morse Pharmacy Campbell University
Joseph Sprinkle Pharmacy High Point University
Justin Villanueva Pharmacy UNC Chapel Hill
Meredith Hatchell Pharmacy Wingate University
Mikala Lowry Pharmacy Roseman University
Lauryn Blakely Lewis Pharmacy Campbell University
Wyatt Wall Wyatt Wall Mary Baldwin University
Candace Locklear Physician Assistant Pfeiffer University
Kenneth Wickey Physician Assistant Methodist University
Leanna Jacobs Physician Assistant Methodist University
Leyia Bullard Oxendine Physician Assistant Methodist University
Phoenix Locklear Physician Assistant Methodist University
Shannon Hunt Physician Assistant Pfeiffer University
Brooke Huggins Physician Assistant Methodist University
Alexis High Veterinary Medicine NC State University
Sonyaliz Goveo Veterinary Medicine NC State University

 

In 2020, 22 HCAP students found success in a professional program.

Name Program Professional School
Jacob Locklear Dental UNC Chapel Hill
Kaila Chavis Dental University of Buffalo
Ashley Moore Medicine East Carolina University
Olivia Spaulding Medicine Howard University
Ereny Gerges Medicine East Carolina University
Casey O’Quinn Medicine Medical University of South Carolina
Kathryn Ryan Pharmacy UNC Chapel Hill
Malerie Leviner Pharmacy UNC Chapel Hill
Breanna Sigler Pharmacy St. John Fisher College
Kaysey Manista Pharmacy Campbell University
Angelica McNair Physical Therapy Duke University
Casey Burroughs Physical Therapy East Carolina University
Genna Locklear Physical Therapy Duke University
Kelsi Sheldon Physical Therapy Nova Southeastern University
Spencer Ray Physical Therapy Methodist University
Wiley Hoover Physical Therapy East Carolina University
Ingrid Arce Physical Therapy Elon University
Adrianne Oxendine Physician Assistant Methodist University
Caleb Warner Smith Physician Assistant Gardner Webb University
Jarrett Oxendine Physician Assistant Methodist University
Justin Scott Physician Assistant Methodist University
Kinston Cummings Physician Assistant Presbyterian College

 

In 2019, 22 HCAP students found success in a professional program.

Name Program Professional School
Ahmad Abumohsen Chiropractic Medicine Life University
Joshua McKoy Dental Medicine Virginia Commonwealth University
Dan Middleton Medicine East Carolina University
Marcus Dial Medicine Tulane University
Harper Harvey Medicine Howard University College of Medicine
Kody Heubach Medicine Campbell University
Anna Schweitzer Medicine/DO  
Elizabeth Lowry Occupational Therapy Lenoir Rhyne University
Carly Rochelle Occupational Therapy Lenoir Rhyne University
Aaron Lucas Dial Pharmacy Campbell University
Justin Roberts Pharmacy  
Ashley Smith Pharmacy Ashley Smith
Nathan Kelley Physical Therapy Duke University
Brenna Sifford Physical Therapy Winston Salem State
McKenley Byrd Physical Therapy NOVA Southeastern
Matthew Davis Physical Therapy Methodist University
Erin Barnhardt Physician Assistant Methodist University
Savannah Melvin Physician Assistant Methodist University
Gracie May Davis Physician Assistant Presbyterian College
Stephanie Rousseau Physician Assistant Methodist University
Courtney Moore Veterinary Medicine Tuskegee University, College of Veterinary Medicine
Ethan Williamson Veterinary Medicine North Carolina State University

In 2018, 20 HCAP students found success in a professional program.

Name Program Professional School
Juandra Williams Chiropractic Medicine Life University
Wendy Flores Dental Medicine Universidad Central del Este
Aliyah Lynch Doctor of Physical Therapy Wingate University
Hoytney Pierce Naturopathic Medicine  
Naveen Issa Medicine Trinity School of Medicine
Piper Lizak Medicine East Carolina University
Ross Masters Medicine East Carolina University
Tyler Moore Medicine Campbell University
Travis Walters Optometry Salus University
Alexander Stephens Pharmacy Wingate University
Taylor Felton Pharmacy UNC Chapel Hill
Ebone Stevens Pharmacy Campbell University
Ashraf Alsaidi Pharmacy Wingate University
Natasha Wells Pharmacy University of Florida
Amber Watkins Physician Assistant Methodist University
Caitlin Watkins Physician Assistant Methodist University
David Pedersen Physician Assistant Wake Forest University
Jackee Hunt Physician Assistant Lenoir-Rhyne University
Laura Byrd Physician Assistant Methodist University
Dayten Hodge Physician Assistant Campbell University

 

Contact Us

If you have questions, reach out to us. 

Jacobs Hall Suite F
PO Box 1510
Pembroke, NC 28372

Phone: 910.521.6673
Fax: 910.775.4751

Email: hcap@uncp.edu 

Email Us
Close-up of a healthcare professional wearing a white coat, blue tie, and stethoscope, symbolizing medical practice, professionalism, and clinical care.