Aurora LIGHTS (LeadInG the way to careers in HealTh Sciences) is a pipeline program that encourages and supports educationally and economically disadvantaged students in the City of Aurora who pursue careers in the health fields and biomedical research. The goals of this program include recruitment, educational and career support, financial aid information, cultural competency training and retention in the specialty.

Funding for Aurora LIGHTS was awarded to Colorado AHEC by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) for close to $4 million over the course of three years. This program started in September of 2008 and we are currently in our third year of implementation.

This program is unique in that it provides access to students throughout the academic spectrum including elementary, middle, high school, and undergraduate, post-baccalaureate and professional schools. For the past two years Aurora LIGHTS has provided health career pathway guidance, academic content sessions, peer mentoring and on-site shadowing experiences for over 500 students.

Aurora LIGHTS Program Partners:

For K-12 Students:

• Aurora Public Schools, Central Colorado AHEC, and MCPN

For Undergraduates:

• Community  College of Aurora and University of Colorado Denver Downtown Campus

Health Professional Schools:

• University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus: School of Medicine, School of Pharmacy, School of Dental Medicine, Physician Assistant Program (CHA/PA), and Physical Therapy Program.