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University of North Georgia (Â鶹ÊÓƵ) student Erika Delgado and May graduate Hasten Veal were part of this summer's eight-member cohort for , which was hosted by Foothills Area Health Education Center (AHEC).

The five-week residential program encourages students to enroll in medical school and develop an interest in primary care in hopes they serve the north Georgia community.

Pathway to Med School includes mock interviews with medical school admissions officials as well as a physicians' roundtable. Participants also had a chance to shadow for 80 hours in a variety of primary care settings. They had 60 hours of research experience through the program, as well.

Delgado, a senior from Talmo, Georgia, pursuing a degree in chemistry, is a First-Generation college student who felt that Pathway to Med School would help her stand out when she applies to medical schools. Her research project compared differences in suicide attempts between rural and urban settings.

Delgado lived in Mexico for part of her childhood and saw the impact of a lack of health care access on her family. As a lifelong learner who wants to serve her community, pursuing a career in the medical field is a natural choice for Delgado. Pathway to Med School gave her an even better idea of what such a role could look like.

"It has really inspired me to be like the physicians I shadowed. The relationships they have with their patients are very meaningful. I see how much they trust each other," Delgado said. "It's really solidified my desire to go into medicine. It's made me 10 times more confident this is what I want to do."

The research opportunities and mentoring offered by chemistry faculty members including Dr. Isaac Agyekum, Dr. Rosi Gunasinghe, Dr. Paula Nolibos, and Dr. Patricia Todebush have given Delgado the confidence she can make that goal a reality.

Veal, a Gainesville, Georgia, resident who earned a degree in biology, conducted research through Pathway to Med School on a smoking cessation program at a local clinic affiliated with Piedmont Athens Regional. He particularly enjoyed the mock interviews and making connections through shadowing physicians. Some doctors have already invited him back for more shadowing.

The recent graduate appreciates the opportunities doctors have to know their patients and become an integral part of where they live.

"Primary care physicians are on the front lines of helping their communities," Veal said.

Pathway to Med School was the latest opportunity to help Veal gain skills for his future.

Previously, he researched the prevalence of a respiratory disease in birds. Veal also presented at the 2025 Annual Research Conference at Â鶹ÊÓƵ about the effects of levodopa and Adderall on a neurotransmitter related to Parkinson's disease. Veal worked in a biochemistry lab at the University of Southern Mississippi in summer 2024 as part of a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates.

As a freshman, Veal thought about transferring from Â鶹ÊÓƵ, but the supportive faculty helped him decide to stay.

"At Â鶹ÊÓƵ, it's so easy to be involved. So many professors are willing to give you a project to work on," Veal said. "It's so easy to network and build a resume at Â鶹ÊÓƵ."

Jenn Dunahoo, a 2016 Â鶹ÊÓƵ alumna with a degree in psychology, serves as special projects coordinator for Foothills AHEC and oversees Pathway to Med School. She said the drive for students to get into medical school can be "all-encompassing," but she was impressed with the variety of interests Delgado and Veal have as they pursue their goals.

"Medical schools are looking for students who have interests that will be able to balance the workload that comes with med school," Dunahoo said.