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Publication Date

4-9-2026

Abstract

The ongoing demand for a well-prepared and adequately staffed healthcare workforce in the United States highlights the value of effective educational pipeline programs. The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) High School Alliance (HSA) was created as an immersive, academic enrichment initiative to expose motivated high school students from a range of educational and socioeconomic backgrounds to health professions, with the long-term aim of strengthening the healthcare workforce in Nebraska. This article evaluates the design, curriculum, and measurable impact of the UNMC HSA over its 16-year history. Students participate daily throughout the school year, engaging in courses such as patient care, public health, behavioral health, biomedical research, and pathology, taught by UNMC faculty. Data gathered from student questionnaires and workforce projections are analyzed to assess outcomes and ongoing needs within the healthcare sector. . A comparative review of pipeline programs at other leading institutions demonstrates the variation in pipeline programs.

Results indicate that graduates of the HSA program report increased preparedness for future healthcare careers, greater knowledge of various health professions, and a strong commitment to pursuing postsecondary education related to healthcare. Pipeline analysis identifies persistent shortages in roles such as registered nurses and general internal medicine physicians, while the HSA and similar initiatives offer critical early exposure to these high-demand fields. The UNMC HSA is effective due to its comprehensive curriculum and daily engagement model. The article concludes that programs like UNMC HSA play an essential role in alleviating workforce shortages and ensuring the preparation of future healthcare professionals. Recommendations are provided for the ongoing development and broader implementation of similar evidence-based programs in support of workforce goals.

DOI

doi: 10.32873/unmc.dc.ihsej.0073

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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