Diversity & Community Health Equity

UI Health CHAMPIONS is an initiative dedicated to making changes in health through an innovative approach. We seek to create academic and professional avenues to health career pathways for college-bound high school youth through career exposure, academic enrichment, and workforce development programs and opportunities.

We invite prospective students, partners, and community members to share our mission. Please join us and support our programs as we work to empower youth to improve health outcomes in Chicagoland neighborhoods. 

Program Objectives

UI Health CHAMPIONS aims to:

• Increase program participants’ awareness of health career pathways
• Increase program participants’ intent to pursue higher education on a pre-health track
• Equip program participants with Work-Based Learning (WBL) experiences and 21st-century professional skills
• Equip program participants with knowledge and skills to serve as youth community health advocates

Workforce Readiness

• Work-Based Learning (WBL) experiences, including simulated skills development
• Employment and job shadowing

Post-secondary Pathways

• Engagement with UIC health sciences colleges and industry stakeholders to create valuable programs and opportunities
• Health career awareness and exploration
• College readiness

Health Advocacy

• Embed and practice UI Health I CARE values