蓝莓视频

Pre-Professional Health Pathways at EOU

Pre-Professional Pathways

In The College of Science, Technology, Mathematics, & Health Sciences

EOU’s Pre-Professional Healthcare pathways prepare our students for future Graduate and Professional programs, across numerous healthcare fields. Students who take part in these pathways are prepared academically through rigorous coursework that includes the most common program prerequisites. These courses ensure students are ready to seek acceptance and excel within any program they choose to enroll in.

Resources for Pre-Professional Students


While the pathway into Graduate and/or Professional Healthcare programs can take many shapes and be done in many different ways, students seeking entrance into such programs need to start the process as early as possible. Taking part in key experiences and opportunities is oftentimes vital for students looking to enter healthcare programs. By starting those early, students are better able to spread those experiences/requirements out, in order to not overwhelm them. 

Below is information that all EOU Pre-Professional students can reference to aid them in their preparation for their future program(s) and healthcare field. 

ALL Pre-Professional Students:

  • Not sure what healthcare/career field is best for you? Try a career quiz!
  • &
  • Pre-Professional Resource Library (coming soon!)

Healthcare Shadowing:

Many healthcare programs highly recommend and/or require that students complete so many hours of shadowing within their field of interest, for a variety of reasons. Even for the programs that don鈥檛 require it, shadowing is highly beneficial as it gives prospective students the opportunity to see firsthand the roles and responsibilities of the profession they seek to enter and the healthcare field as a whole.

Below is a list of local clinics and organizations, within Union County, that students could potentially shadow at, along with contact information. Clinics are organized by occupation/healthcare specialty. *Every clinic and organization reserves the right to accept or reject students for shadowing purposes and can have their own separate application requirements and/or approval process that students must follow.

Occupation/ClinicLocationContact InformationHealth Professions
Chiropractic
Grande Ronde Chiropractic ClinicLa Grande541-963-0339
Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)
Acupuncturist (LAc)
Chiropractor (DC)
Kehr ChiropracticLa Grande541-963-9632
Chiropractic Assistant (CA)Limited X-Ray Machine Operator (LXMO)
Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)
Chiropractor (DC)
Dentistry & Orthodontics
McLean Family DentalLa Grande541-963-4000
Dentist (DMD)
La Grande Family DentalLa Grande541-963-5632
Dental Assistant (CDA)
Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Dentist (DMD)
Koza Family Dental CareLa Grande541-963-4962
Dental Assistant (CDA)
Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Dentist (DMD)
Mark L. HarrisLa Grande541-963-0924
Dentist (DMD)
Sea Brite DentalLa Grande541-963-2741
Dental Assistant (CDA)
Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Dentist (DMD)
Eli Mayes DentalLa Grande541-963-8585
Dental Assistant (CDA)
Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Dentist (DMD)
La Grande OrthodonticsLa Grande541-624-5225
Dental Assistant (CDA)
Dental Hygienist (RDH)
Orthodontist (DMD)
Dental Surgeon (DDS)
Joseph D. Martinez OrthodonticsLa Grande541-963-3525
Dental Assistant (CDA)Orthodontist (DMD)
Nursing
Heart n鈥 HomeUnion CountyMcKayla Neal
mmneal@eou.edu
(541) 962-3070
Registered Nurse (RN)
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Optometry & Ophthalmology
La Grande Family Eye CareLa Grande541-963-3788
Optometric Assistant (OA)
Optician (CPO/CPOA/CPOT)
Optometrist (OD)
Apple Eye CareLa Grande541-962-7753
Optician (ABOC)
Optometrist (OD)
William Pettit, MD (GRH Specialist)La Grande541-963-3119Opthomalogist (MD/DO)
Pharmacists
WalmartLa Grande541-963-5460
Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
Pharmacist (PharmD)
SafewayLa Grande541-663-2706
Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
Pharmacist (PharmD)
Red CrossLa Grande541-963-6332
Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
Pharmacist (PharmD)
Physical Therapy
Mountain Valley TherapyLa Grande541-962-0830
Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA)
Athletic Trainer (ATC)
Occupational Therapist (OT)
Physical Therapist (DPT)
Northeast Oregon Physical TherapyLa Grande541-963-9340Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA)
Physical Therapist (DPT)
Veterinary Medicine
Grande Ronde Animal HospitalLa Grande541-605-0833
Veterinary Technician (CVT)
Veterinarian (DVM)
Valley Veterinary CareLa Grande541-963-0287
Veterinary Technician (CVT)
Veterinarian (DVM)
Animal Health CenterLa Grande541-963-6621
Veterinary Technician (CVT)
Veterinarian (DVM)
GENERAL
Grande Ronde Hospital (GRH)
*agreement is available for EOU Pre-Professional Health Club (PPHC) members!
Union CountyMcKayla Neal
mmneal@eou.edu
(541) 962-3070
MANY
La Grande Family MedicineUnion CountyMcKayla Neal
mmneal@eou.edu
(541) 962-3070
Registered Nurse (RN)
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Physician Assistant (PA)
Medical Doctor (MD/DO)
EOU Student Health & Counseling CenterEOU541-962-3524
Website
Licensed Psychologist
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
HEAL Clinical EducationVirtualMANY

Patient Care Experience Resources

While not every program requires Patient Care Experience (PCE) (aka hands on experience with patients), students who take part in such opportunities often find that it helps them determine if that healthcare field is right for them.

Many programs view PCE differently from Healthcare Shadowing and can prefer/require it. Oftentimes, in these cases, there tends to be a certain hour requirement within particular PCE positions that the program(s) is looking for. Students should make sure to review each program and their requirements/preferences for these hours and/or positions carefully, as they can widely vary between each program.

Common positions students seek to gain PCE hours are typically within the area, which can require a certain amount of training. Below is information on potential training programs and positions students could pursue:

Certification & Training Options
or Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A):

:
(different certification options)


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:





:

Other Options:










Community/Volunteer Service Resources

At its core, healthcare is a service based industry. Without experience providing true community/volunteer services, students in professional programs often struggle to connect with their peers, patients, and the overall mission and outlook of healthcare providers.

While most programs don鈥檛 require a certain amount of community/volunteer hours, it鈥檚 beneficial for prospective students to have enough experience that they can reference when asked. Ideally, finding a volunteer organization or project that aligns with the students interest and passion is best, as it鈥檚 traditionally more sustainable and meaningful.

Below is a list of local organizations, within Union County, that students could potentially volunteer at. *Every organization reserves the right to accept or reject students for volunteer work and can have their own separate application requirements and/or approval process that students must follow.

OrganizationLocationContact InformationNotes
Blue Mountain Humane SocietyUnion County541.963.0807
info@bmhumane.org 
Center for Human DevelopmentUnion County
Community Connections (of NEO)Union County(541) 963-7532

La Grande Food Bank (NTUC)Union County
Next Step Pregnancy and Relationship CenterUnion County(541) 963-6918
nextstepPIC@outlook.com 

American Red Cross*local & state/national
*for information on EOU鈥檚 Red Cross Blood Drives, contact McKayla Neal at mmneal@eou.edu
Habitat for Humanity | Grande Ronde Valley*local & state/national
Meals on Wheels*local & state/national

Enrichment Activities (i.e. Clubs/Societies, Research, Summer Programs, etc.)

An increasing desire from healthcare programs is to see proof of enrichment activities on a students resume and experience lists. Such activities can include, but are not limited to, clubs/societies, summer programs, research groups, etc..

EOU offers a wide array of student clubs/societies that students can take part in, including several health and science based options, such as: Pre-Professional Health Club, Pre-Health Society (NEOAHEC based), Chemistry Club, Psychology Club, Math Club, and the Science Journal.

The activity(ies) a student joins do not have to be health/science based. The key is finding ones the student enjoys and can show active and consistent involvement in. The ultimate goal is to showcase the ability to manage an academically rigorous schedule, while also being able to take part in extracurricular activities that the student enjoys and is passionate about.

Below is information on a variety of groups that students can join that often count towards enrichment experiences:

EOU Club/SocietyServicesOrganizationContact Information
Pre-Professional Health Club (PPHC)Healthcare Shadowing
Volunteering/Community Service
Professional Development
Healthcare Speakers
Program Tours & Presentations
EOU Center for Student InvolvementMcKayla Neal
mmneal@eou.edu
(541) 962-3070
Mentorship Match
Mock Interviews
Personal Essay/Statement Writing
MAPPD Application Tracker Acct.
OHSU/McKayla Neal
mmneal@eou.edu
(541) 962-3070
Biology/Tri-Beta ClubVolunteer/Community Service
Professional & Leadership Development
Research Scholarships/Grants
Research Awards
National Convention Research Presentations
Subscription to BIOS (Biology Journal)
UG Research Submission
EOU Center for Student InvolvementDr. Laura Mahrt
lmahrt@eou.edu
(541) 962-3022
Chemistry ClubField Research
Professional Conference Attendance & Presentation
Shadowing
Volunteer
Professional Development
Program Tours
EOU Center for Student InvolvementDr. Anna Cavinato
acavinat@eou.edu
(541) 962-3561
Psychology ClubEOU Center for Student InvolvementDr. Zoe Johnson-Ulrich
zjohnsonulrich@eou.edu
(541)962-3660
Math ClubEOU Center for Student InvolvementDr. Amy Yielding
ayielding@eou.edu
(541) 962-3314
Science JournalEOU Center for Student InvolvementDr. Amy Yielding
ayielding@eou.edu
(541) 962-3314
Research, Professional Development, & Internship/Fellowship Programs
EOU Departments with Research Opportunities:
ANTH/SOC
Biology
Chemistry-Biochemistry
Health & Human Performance
Psychology

Choosing the Right Major


One of the most rapidly expanding career fields today is that of the health sciences. At 蓝莓视频 students planning to enter a professional program in the health care field take their foundation courses through the pre-professional sequences.

While there is no 鈥渂est鈥 major to gain entry into a professional program that requires a degree, many EOU students complete a Biology or Chemistry-Biochemistry degree, as they already encompass many of the prerequisite courses.

Upon admission to EOU, all new students are assigned to an Academic Advisor. If at any time a student chooses to change their current EOU major, they may contact their current Academic Advisor, or email advising@eou.edu for assistance.

Pre-Professional Health Advisor: McKayla Neal


McKayla Neal

Biology, Chemistry-Biochemistry & Pre-Professional Health Pathways
Email: mmneal@eou.edu
Phone: 541-962-3070
Office: BH127
Make an appointment:

  • (current EOU students)
  • (prospective & non-EOU affiliates)