For more than three decades, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s (RWJF) Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) enabled college students to explore careers in the health professions, strengthen their academic preparation, and build the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to pursue advanced education.
The program is highly regarded for its successful outcomes, including contributing to the career development of over 11,000 physicians and dentists. In 2024, RWJF shifted its strategic priorities for funding, and SHPEP concluded following its final summer cohort in 2026. SHPEP’s impact continues through the nearly 35,000 scholars who participated in the program, the institutions, leaders, and faculty who supported them, and the partnerships that expanded opportunities for students interested in the health professions.
Continuing the Work
With SHPEP’s conclusion, the work of improving access to careers in medicine and the biomedical sciences continues.
The AAMC is building on lessons learned through SHPEP and other pathway initiatives to inform future programming and other opportunities for students. As new programs, resources, and opportunities become available, information will be shared on this page.
Explore the SHPEP Legacy
The SHPEP website has been preserved as a historical resource where alumni, educators, partners, and others can learn more about the program's history, impact, and contributions to health professions education.
Visit SHPEP’s Historical Website
Research and Studies About SHPEP
Over its 38-year history, SHPEP and its earlier iterations—MMEP, SMEP, and SMDEP—have been examined through studies exploring the program’s effectiveness, participant experiences, and educational and career outcomes. This body of research offers insight into how academic enrichment, mentorship, career development, and exposure to the health professions supported students throughout their educational journeys.
The studies below document the program’s evolution and impact while contributing to a broader understanding of initiatives designed to expand access to health professions education. This collection is preserved as part of the SHPEP historical archive.
- Effect of an Intensive Educational Program for Minority College Students and Recent Graduates on the Probability of Acceptance to Medical School
- Impact Evaluation of the RWJF Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP)
- Association of Summer College Academic Enrichment Program Participation with Medical Student Diversity and Intent to Practice in Underserved Areas
- Perceived Success After Participation in the Summer Health Professions Education Program
Stay Connected
Please continue to visit this page for information about future AAMC programming and other opportunities for students interested in medicine and biomedical sciences.
Exclusively for program alums, the SHPEP Alumni LinkedIn Group offers a space to connect, build community, and grow your professional network.