The health care workforce in the United States is booming. Fully 10% of adults in this country are employed in some capacity in the sector, and there are no signs of the need for skilled, versatile employees tapering off.
To answer this demand and prepare students for an array of health-related careers, The University of Tulsa launched the integrative healthcare studies (IHCS) major this fall. “The IHCS’s mission is to ensure our students are well prepared to pursue any potential career in health care,” explained Dr. Jeffrey Alderman, the program’s director and assistant dean of medical education at Oxley College of Health & Natural Sciences. “Graduates will possess not only health care knowledge but also the critical thinking skills and practical experience necessary for success, no matter whether they undertake further studies or immediately enter the workforce.”
Pathways to success
IHCS majors take a variety of courses in the natural sciences, clinical sciences and related social sciences and humanities disciplines. As they progress through the program, they can choose to follow one of two tracks:
- Track 1: For students seeking a clinical career in fields such as medicine, physical or occupational therapy, dentistry, optometry and veterinary medicine.
- Track 2: For students interested in non-clinical careers in the health care sector, such as in administration, public health, insurance, pharmaceutical sales and health information technology.
One member of the program’s first cohort is Junior Macy Guthrie of Broken Arrow. Guthrie is combining her IHCS major with minors in psychology and biological science. “I have my sights set on one day becoming a physician assistant, so the IHCS is perfect for me and others who want to work in health care but aren’t interested in attending medical school,” said Guthrie. “My academic adviser has been great helping me to plan my studies and the CaneCareers staff has put me in touch with alumni to contact for job-shadowing and internship opportunities. I have also enjoyed meeting other IHCS majors and creating lasting connections with them.”
Sophomore Sarah Biederman of Tulsa is similarly enthusiastic. Double majoring in IHCS and International Engineering/Science & Language, her interest in public health was awakened during her first semester at UTulsa when she took a course on epidemiology. “I am looking into becoming a physician or PA someday, and the health studies courses with Dr. Alderman and others have grown my understanding not only of individual wellness but all the factors at play in making our health care system function,” Biederman commented. “One of the best things about the IHCS is its emphasis on providing a comprehensive perspective on the system and the determinants of health. I also really appreciate the flexibility to focus on specific topics and courses that align with my interests.”
Experiential learning
Many universities have general health studies programs. “What makes our program stand out in this field is the rigor of the curriculum and the experiential component – in the form of an internship – which is required for students in both tracks,” Alderman said.
For these internships, the IHCS pairs students with leaders and role models in health care settings, such as hospitals and clinics, as well as community-based organizations, such as nonprofits that address mental health or food insecurity. “Experiential learning is intended to help our students develop a deeper sense of what it means to care for diverse populations,” said Alderman. “It’s also aimed at fostering their process of self-discovery and empowering them to more clearly identify their personal, individualized career trajectories.”
Discover more about unique health care pathways at https://utulsa.edu/programs/integrative-healthcare-studies/ or email jeffrey-alderman@utulsa.edu.