The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine and the Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP) are investing in Texas' future physician workforce through an innovative summer internship that provides aspiring physicians with immersive experiences in medical education, clinical exposure, mentorship, and community engagement.
This summer marked the inaugural JAMP Summer Internship Program at the UT Tyler School of Medicine, bringing together JAMP scholars from across Texas for a unique opportunity to experience medical school firsthand while building relationships with faculty, physicians, medical students, and fellow scholars. More than simply introducing students to medicine, the internship provided an environment where future physicians could strengthen their confidence, develop meaningful connections, and envision their place within Texas' healthcare workforce.
For students, the experience was transformational.
"My overall experience at the UT Tyler Summer Internship was amazing. It gave me a better understanding of medicine and made me more motivated to become a physician," said JAMP scholar Shive Patel. "The people made the internship memorable. Everyone was welcoming and always wanted to help us learn and succeed."
Students consistently described the supportive culture created by UT Tyler faculty, staff, medical students, and program coordinators.
"From the moment we checked in, they welcomed us with open arms, ready to support us throughout this journey," said Crystal Armenta. "It was apparent how much they cared as they integrated everyone's interests into the program while preparing us for medical school through clinical skills, multiple mini-interview practice, and outstanding coursework."
The internship immersed scholars in the realities of medical education while providing encouragement and mentorship every step of the way.
"The program showed me what medical school is really like," Patel shared. "It demonstrated the difficulty of medicine, but everyone was incredibly encouraging and showed us that we will succeed if we put in the work."
For many scholars, the internship also provided a firsthand introduction to East Texas and the UT Tyler School of Medicine's mission of serving its surrounding communities.
"What stood out to me about the UT Tyler School of Medicine community is their strong conviction to serve Tyler and East Texas," Patrice Nguyen said. "Their dedication continues to strengthen and inspire my desire to address healthcare barriers in my own way as I continue my journey as a future physician."
The experience was further enhanced by the recent opening of the new UT Tyler School of Medicine building, which expands opportunities for medical education, clinical training, research, and physician workforce development in East Texas. During a recent visit, Texas Health Education Service (TXHES) leadership observed firsthand how the facility supports innovative educational experiences such as the JAMP Summer Internship Program.
"The opening of our new School of Medicine building is an incredibly meaningful milestone for all of us at UT Tyler and for the communities we serve across East Texas," said Dr. Sue M. Cox, Dean of the UT Tyler School of Medicine. "This facility reflects the dedication of so many partners who share our vision of improving health through education and innovation. It allows us to more fully prepare physicians who are not only highly skilled but deeply connected to this region and its needs. Importantly, this is about people—our students, our patients, and our communities—and the opportunity to expand access to care and build a stronger healthcare workforce for generations to come."
In addition to hosting the inaugural internship, UT Tyler continues to play a key leadership role within JAMP. Dr. Gisele Abron, Associate Dean of Admissions at the UT Tyler School of Medicine and Chair of JAMP's Research & Development Committee, has worked closely with JAMP administrators to develop and standardize summer internship evaluations across participating medical schools. This collaborative effort will strengthen program assessment, measure student learning outcomes, and continuously enhance internship experiences for future JAMP scholars statewide.
For many participants, the internship offered more than an introduction to medicine; it provided an opportunity to experience a medical school community where they could see themselves thriving.
"What stood out to me most about UT Tyler was the genuine love the medical students, faculty, staff, and coordinators have for the school and its community," Yuliana Santos reflected. "Their passion and willingness to support us made a lasting impression and made me feel like I truly belonged in the UT Tyler community."
As JAMP and the UT Tyler School of Medicine continue to expand opportunities for aspiring physicians, the inaugural Summer Internship Program represents an important investment in the future of healthcare in Texas. By combining mentorship, experiential learning, academic preparation, and meaningful community engagement, the partnership is helping prepare the next generation of physicians while strengthening the healthcare workforce for communities across the state.
About the author: The Texas Health Education Service amplifies TMDSAS and JAMP’s missions to serve students, collegiate advisors, and professional schools in Texas by providing students with accurate educational resources to enhance their preparation for a career in the health professions, and supporting efforts by advisors and professional schools to reach students and enrich the applicant pool.
Explore how UT Tyler School of Medicine's partnership with JAMP is expanding hands-on learning opportunities and strengthening Texas' future physician workforce.
Early application data from TMDSAS and JAMP for EY 2027 shows continued growth in student engagement, application submissions, and participation across Texas healthcare education pathways.
TXHES is pleased to welcome Victoria Moe as Deputy Executive Director, adding a seasoned higher education and workforce development leader to the organization's executive team.
