Introduction
Welcome to the Urban Health Program, UIC’s leading effort to increase representation in the health sciences.
The University of Illinois Chicago Urban Health Program (UHP) is a pathway program within the university’s healthcare enterprise, UI Health, with the mission of recruiting, retaining and graduating students from economically and educationally disadvantaged communities in the healthcare system. Increasing the presence of healthcare professionals who reflect the communities we serve, whether teaching, researching or practicing, is a hallmark of the program’s mission which aligns with the University’s own values of access, excellence and service.
Upcoming Dates & Deadlines
-
September 16, 2026 - HES Program Info Session
Join us on Wednesday, September 16 to learn about the Health Exploration Scholars (HES) program.
HES is open to UIC sophomore, junior and senior undergraduate students interested in a wide variety of health professions. The program aims to increase applicants from all backgrounds into the health disciplines.
-
September 18, 2026 - PASS Program Info Session
Join us on Friday September 18 to learn about the Promoting Academic Scholarly Success (PASS) program
PASS is designed to support UIC first-year students in their fall semester during pre-health designated curriculum with a more focused developmental academic pathway.
-
September 25, 2026 - PASS Program Application Deadline
The deadline to apply for the Promoting Academic Scholarly (PASS) program is Friday, September 25, 2026.
If you know you are ready, you may apply online now.
Message From a UHP Graduate
When I first started the Early Outreach Program in 4th grade, I had no idea just how impactful the program would be for my future. At the time, math and science were not my strongest subjects, but EOP changed that. The program helped me build confidence and sparked a genuine interest in the health sciences. Through countless presentations and lab visits with doctors and researchers who looked like me, I began to visualize myself in those roles; that representation was powerful. EOP carried me through every stage, from 4th grade til 12th grade-9 full years. It guided me into UIC’s undergraduate research programs, through graduate school where I earned a dual Masters of Public Health and Masters of Social Work, and now into my career as a Research Specialist at the Cancer Center at UIC. Talk about full circle. I am forever grateful to EOP for its foundational role in my development.