The two institutions have come together to create a pathway for health and medicine students to enter into the state’s healthcare workforce pipeline.
The University of Tennessee Knoxville and the University of Tennessee Health Sciences have come together to launch a new pathway program called the University Honors Health Fellows Program. The goal of the program is to create a pipeline of well-qualified healthcare and medical students to enter into the state’s workforce and provide these students with enhanced academic and practical experiences.
According to an article on the University of Tennessee Knoxville’s website, Charles Snyder, who serves as the vice chancellor for student success and chief student affairs officer at UT Health Sciences, was quoted as saying of the initiative, “This program creates a direct connection between some of Tennessee’s most talented students and the exceptional graduate and professional education opportunities available at UT Health Sciences. They will graduate not only exceptionally well trained but also deeply committed to improving health outcomes and strengthening communities across Tennessee. That’s what Healthy Tennesseans, Thriving Communities is all about.”
UTHS Chancellor Peter Buckley added, “This partnership creates a clear, rigorous path into UT Health Sciences’ premier programs and gives students early exposure to the academic and clinical expectations of professional education — so they are prepared to lead and to serve.”
The University Honors Health Fellows Program establishes guaranteed admissions into UT Health Sciences graduate programs for University of Tennessee Knoxville students who meet eligibility criteria, including a 3.75 cumulative GPA and science and math GPA, a minimum score of 34 on the ACT, a high school GPA of 4.5 or higher, completion of healthcare service hours, and completion of professional admissions exam preparation.
University Honors will select a cohort of students who meet these criteria and will then oversee their advising and student experience. University of Tennessee Health Sciences will manage the students’ specialized advising, mentor matching, clinical placement, and professional program application. It will also conduct a seminar and summer clinical intensive for participating students.
Amber Williams, the senior vice provost for student success and chief honors officer at UT Knoxville, said, “This is a high-support, high-expectation program designed to make outstanding students even stronger candidates for the nation’s most competitive health professional programs. We’re creating transparency in the pathway — clear guardrails, intentional advising and a cohort experience that builds leadership, ethical decision-making and a deep commitment to serving Tennesseans.”
University of Tennessee Health Science is reserving 50 seats in its doctoral- and master’s-level professional programs for University Honors Health Fellows, outlined as follows: Medicine - 10 seats; Dentistry - 10 seats; Pharmacy - 15 seats; Physical Therapy - 5 seats; Occupational Therapy - 5 seats; Pathologists’ Assistant - 2 seats; Physician Assistant- 3 seats.
UT Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman said, “UT Knoxville is uniquely positioned to build a best-in-class pipeline for Tennessee students who aspire to serve Tennessee communities. By connecting our nationally recognized honors experience with UT Health Sciences’ outstanding graduate and professional programs, we’re expanding opportunity for high-achieving students while addressing a critical workforce need for the state.”
The program launched with the Fall 2026 semester, with the first cohort of students made up of UT Knoxville juniors, sophomores, and first-year students.
For more information about the University of Tennessee Knoxville, visit the school’s website.