Welcome and Opening Session -  CVS Health Keynote

Kick off the conference with an inspiring keynote from CVS Health, a leader at the forefront of innovation in healthcare. This session invites students to think beyond traditional career paths and explore the vast, evolving landscape of opportunities in health and life sciences. Whether you're drawn to patient care, research, or something entirely unexpected, CVS Health will challenge attendees to keep an open mind, embrace curiosity, and consider how their unique skills and passions can shape the future of care. Whether you're just starting to explore your options or already on a defined path, this keynote will help you reimagine what’s possible.

Session Block 1 – 9:35 AM – 10:20 AM

Discover the Right Health Career for You

Explore. Evaluate. Experience. Not sure which health career path is the best fit for you? This session is your launchpad. Whether you're curious about clinical roles, public health, research, or emerging fields in healthcare, you'll gain a broad overview of career options across the health and life sciences spectrum. Learn how to use powerful tools and resources to explore job responsibilities, required skills, salary ranges, and employment outlooks. Discover how to conduct effective informational interviews and find meaningful hands-on experiences—like shadowing and volunteering—that can help clarify your goals and build your confidence. If you're ready to take the first step toward a fulfilling career in health, this session will show you how.

The Pre-Health Process

Plan Ahead. Prepare Well. Stand Out. Thinking about graduate or professional school in a health-related field? This session breaks down the essential steps to get there. From mapping out your timeline to identifying key milestones, you'll learn how to strategically prepare for applications to veterinary, medical, dental, PA, and other health programs. Discover where to find meaningful experience opportunities, like clinical, research, service, and more, and how to make the most of them. Get insider tips on crafting a compelling application that highlights your strengths and tells your story. Whether you're just starting out or already deep in the process, this session will help you stay on track and competitive.

Funding Your Health Education

Understand Costs. Explore Options. Build a Plan. Graduate and professional school can be a major investment—but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In this session, you'll explore the financial landscape of health education, including scholarships, grants, loans, and other funding opportunities. Learn how to research and apply for financial aid, and get practical tips on budgeting and long-term financial planning. Whether you're aiming for medical school, pharmacy, public health, or another path, this session will help you make informed decisions and set yourself up for financial success.

Session Block 2 – 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM

Health Program Admissions Panel

Hear Directly from the Gatekeepers. What makes an applicant stand out? In this dynamic panel session, admissions representatives from a range of health degree programs—including Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Nursing, Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, and Veterinary Medicine—will share insider perspectives on what they look for in competitive candidates. Learn about common pitfalls, key qualities of successful applicants, and how to tailor your preparation to meet program expectations. Bring your questions and get honest, helpful answers straight from the source.

Funding Your Health Education

Understand Costs. Explore Options. Build a Plan. Graduate and professional school can be a major investment—but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In this session, you'll explore the financial landscape of health education, including scholarships, grants, loans, and other funding opportunities. Learn how to research and apply for financial aid, and get practical tips on budgeting and long-term financial planning. Whether you're aiming for medical school, pharmacy, public health, or another path, this session will help you make informed decisions and set yourself up for financial success.

Mayo Clinic Career Panel

Real Stories. Real Roles. Real Advice. Ever wonder what it’s really like to work at one of the world’s leading healthcare institutions? In this panel, professionals from a variety of career paths at Mayo Clinic will share what their day-to-day looks like, how they got there, and what they’ve learned along the way. You’ll gain insight into the diverse opportunities available and hear candid advice for students aspiring to join the healthcare workforce. Come with questions and leave with inspiration—and a clearer picture of what your future could hold.

Session Block 3 – 11:25 AM – 12:10 AM

Health Program Admissions Panel

Hear Directly from the Gatekeepers. What makes an applicant stand out? In this dynamic panel session, admissions representatives from a range of health degree programs—including Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Nursing, Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, and Veterinary Medicine—will share insider perspectives on what they look for in competitive candidates. Learn about common pitfalls, key qualities of successful applicants, and how to tailor your preparation to meet program expectations. Bring your questions and get honest, helpful answers straight from the source.

Graduate and Professional Student Panel

Peer Perspectives. Honest Insights. Lessons Learned. Get the inside scoop from those living it right now. In this panel, current students from a variety of graduate and professional health programs will share their journeys—from preparing strong applications to navigating the realities of academic life. Hear what they wish they’d known before applying, how they manage the demands of their programs, and what advice they have for future applicants. This is your chance to ask candid questions and learn from peers who were in your shoes not long ago.

Mayo Clinic Career Panel

Real Stories. Real Roles. Real Advice. Ever wonder what it’s really like to work at one of the world’s leading healthcare institutions? In this panel, professionals from a variety of career paths at Mayo Clinic will share what their day-to-day looks like, how they got there, and what they’ve learned along the way. You’ll gain insight into the diverse opportunities available and hear candid advice for students aspiring to join the healthcare workforce. Come with questions and leave with inspiration—and a clearer picture of what your future could hold.

Session Block 4 – 1 PM – 1:45 PM

Public Health Mock Disease Tracking

Disease Detectives is a Clue-style mystery where participants become public health investigators racing to solve an outbreak. Using case clues, data, and lab results, you’ll discover how real epidemiologists track diseases, identify sources, and protect communities.

Emergency! Paging Dr. Teamwork: Team-Based Skills Lab

In this roleplay activity, students are grouped into teams and take on a variety of healthcare roles to practice critical healthcare skills such as teamwork, rapid problem-solving, and communication/bedside manner.  Each team tackles a simulated emergency scenario using “banks” of symptoms, vitals, tests, and actions to help guide them, providing a glimpse into the different types of decision-making and interprofessional collaboration pre-health students may see in their future.  The goal of this lab is to provide an engaging experience that highlights the diverse responsibilities and collaboration that make effective healthcare possible.

Positions: Four roles per group (Patient, Nurse, Doctor, Patient Liaison)

CVS Workstation on Wheels Skills Lab

Session description coming soon

Session Block 5 – 1:55 PM – 2:40 PM

Public Health Mock Disease Tracking

Disease Detectives is a Clue-style mystery where participants become public health investigators racing to solve an outbreak. Using case clues, data, and lab results, you’ll discover how real epidemiologists track diseases, identify sources, and protect communities.

CVS Workstation on Wheels Skills Lab

Session description coming soon

Interpreting Research Skills Lab

Session description coming soon