High School

The UK Professional Education Preparation Program
The University of Kentucky Professional Education Preparation Program (PEPP) is sponsored through the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education and has been administered at the University of Kentucky since 1982. PEPP was established to assist students from medically underserved areas of the Commonwealth, who intend to pursue a career as a physician or dentist and hope to return to their home county or similar underserved area of Kentucky to practice medicine or dentistry. The program consists of two components, the UK PEPP Scholars Program for entering college freshmen, and the UK PEPP STEP II Medical and Dental School Preparation Program for rising college juniors and seniors.

PEPP Scholars Program
The PEPP Scholars Program includes a four-and-a-half week residential summer program on the UK campus. The program offers a unique and exciting opportunity for students to experience a college environment, clinical/hospital activities, and the wonders of science and its application to careers in medicine and dentistry. The primary focus of the PEPP Scholars Summer Program is preparation for college and rotations in the UK Academic Medical Center and area hospitals. PEPP Scholars participants experience college dormitory life and participate in a variety of activities at UK's College of Medicine and College of Dentistry. Health-related seminars, listed under the PEPP II description, as well as advice regarding the admissions process for medical and dental school, are important components of the program.

UK PEPP Scholars study chemistry and biology and take part in rotations in the Labor and Delivery and Operating Room departments of the UK Chandler Hospital. Clinical site visits include the UK College of Medicine gross anatomy lab, a psychiatric hospital, Shriners Hospital for Children, nursing homes and activities with special needs children.

For information on how to apply to the PEPP Scholars Program, visit: http://www.mc.uky.edu/physiology/education/other.asp

For more information on the PEPP Scholars Program, contact Carol Leslie at (859) 257-1968 or ctsnyd0@email.uky.edu.

P.U.S.H. Pre-Entry Program
The P.U.S.H. Pre-Entry Program is provided by the Health Center Student Diversity and Enrichment Services office. In efforts to prepare underrepresented students for success in health sciences careers, the P.U.S.H. Program provides helpful information about the Lexington community and the opportunity to meet other minority students currently in programs across the health disciplines at UK. Students participate in workshops designed to help them transition to the next phase of their academic career.

For more information on the P.U.S.H. Pre-Entry Program, contact the Health Center Student Diversity and Enrichment Services office at (859) 257-5196.

Link to Health Careers Program page