Albuquerque, NM – March 2026 – This year marks the 10th anniversary of the UNM Health Professions Symposium (HPS), a student led event designed to provide aspiring healthcare professionals with the resources, mentorship, and experiences they need tosucceed. What began a decade ago as a small gathering has grown into a comprehensive, interactive symposium hosted within the UNM Health Sciences Center, giving students a firsthand look at the environments they may one day train in.
“HPS started with the goal of bringing as many resources as possible into one space so students could get immediate answers and guidance,” said a symposium organizer. “Our mission hasn’t changed, but now we can provide students with immersive experiences in actual health sciences programs while expanding opportunities to explore their passions.”
A Day of Learning, Networking, and Hands On Experience
The symposium kicks off with welcome remarks from UNM leadership, and this year features Gina DeBlassie, Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Health, as the keynote speaker. Attendees then choose from over 90 workshops covering a wide array of healthcare fields, including medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, social work, and optometry, as well as specialty topics like emergency medicine, dermatology, flight medicine, and medical administration.
Workshops vary from panel discussions and “day in the life” presentations to hands-on interactive sessions that allow students to experience activities offered by different UNM Health Sciences programs. The symposium also includes information tables where students can meet representatives from healthcare organizations, learn about shadowing and networking opportunities, and connect with support resources.
“The goal is to break down barriers and make healthcare careers feel attainable,” said an HPS representative. “
The event is entirely free, including registration, lunch, and parking, and we even provide buses for students traveling from outside Albuquerque. We want every student, regardless of background, to have the opportunity to explore healthcare.”
Supporting Underrepresented Students in Healthcare
New Mexico faces a significant shortage of healthcare providers, particularly in rural areas. With over half the population coming from historically underrepresented communities, HPS places a special emphasis on ensuring that students from all backgrounds can access mentorship, resources, and opportunities to explore healthcare careers.
“By supporting local students, we help build a healthcare workforce that better reflects the communities it serves,” the organizers explained. “Students leave the symposium not only inspired, but also with practical guidance on navigating applications, interviews, and professional development.”
Mentorship and Career Exploration
Throughout the day, students have the chance to interact directly with healthcare professionals, who provide insights into real career paths, share lessons learned, and offer advice on succeeding in healthcare education and training. Many past attendees have gone on to professional school and returned as mentors, helping to inspire the next generation of providers. This year, HPS celebrates alumni like Dr. Anthony Fleg, who contributed to the early development of the symposium and has since become a family medicine physician making a tangible impact in community health.
Looking Toward the Future
As New Mexico continues to address provider shortages and healthcare disparities, events like HPS play a critical role in shaping the future workforce. By giving students hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and insight into diverse healthcare careers, the symposium helps ensure that the state’s future providers are well prepared and deeply connected to their communities.
For students curious about healthcare but unsure where to start, HPS offers an accessible and inspiring first step. The event takes place on April 11th and promises to leave attendees not only better informed, but motivated to pursue their passions in healthcare.
For more information and registration, visit https://hps.unm.edu/
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