Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine launches 'BeCOMe U' pipeline program to inspire future medical professionals

In an effort to foster early interest in health care careers, a dedicated team of students, faculty and staff at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine has launched a new pipeline program aimed at middle schoolers in Dublin, Ohio. The initiative, called BeCOMe U, is designed to expose seventh and eighth grade students to the world of medicine and osteopathic care—planting seeds that may one day lead them to medical school.

Now completing its first year, BeCOMe U connects middle school participants with medical student mentors and immerses them in the college’s state-of-the-art facilities, including the anatomy lab and Clinical Training and Assessment Center. There, students get hands-on experience in clinical simulation rooms equipped to resemble actual medical examination rooms.

BeCOMe U participants attend sessions once a month during the summer, followed by meetings in the fall and spring. When not on campus, students receive monthly newsletters featuring personal stories from medical students about their journeys and challenges in pursuing a medical career.

“Middle school is the time when many young people start thinking about their future and careers they might be interested in,” said Terry Porter, assistant director of Admissions and Outreach at the Heritage College and a co-founder of the BeCOMe U program. “We want to level the playing field and plant a seed. We’re helping students realize gifts and talents they may not know they have.”

Along with OhioHealth Doctors Hospital, BeCOMe U partners with the Central Ohio-based Made for Medicine program, which offers activities in medical concepts for elementary school students. Several Heritage College students volunteer with Made for Medicine, and two former students, Shenika Zarebski, D.O. (’24), and Jalen Warren, D.O. (’25), helped create BeCOMe U to pick up where the Made for Medicine program ends.

“Our long-term goal is to continue engaging with BeCOMe U participants as they go through school until eventually, they cross the stage to get their white coat,” said Porter.

With an initial cohort of around 30 students, BeCOMe U is currently being piloted in Dublin, but there are plans to expand to the Heritage College’s other campuses in Athens and Cleveland.

The new initiative complements the college’s established Medical Academy, a health careers discovery program for high school juniors and seniors. That year-long experience kicks off with an intensive four-day summer camp and continues with quarterly activities, providing exposure to classroom instruction, team projects and clinical skills development. Hosted on the Ohio University Dublin campus—featuring advanced learning technologies and simulation spaces—the Medical Academy serves as a next step for students progressing through the health professions pipeline.

OhioHealth, a long-time partner and sponsor of the Heritage College’s pipeline efforts, plays a vital role in both programs, providing access to medical professionals and subject-matter experts from across disciplines.

“We could have an impact by getting middle school students more involved in STEM and helping shape how they see themselves and their potential,” said Porter. “This is about creating a long-term pathway—and a future physician workforce that reflects the communities we serve.”