Student Perspective: The Health Professions Scholarship Program

In the following opinion piece, Liv Good, an RVU student and commissioned officer in the United States Air Force, shares her personal reflections on the value of the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) and how military medicine has shaped her medical education and future.

When you become a medical practitioner, you will be stepping into a position of power. If
you’ve ever read or seen Spider-Man, you know full well that, “with great power comes great responsibility.” Healthcare providers have the great responsibility of preventing harm and saving
lives. It’s a field that demands intelligence, bravery, compassion, and resilience. It forces you to
push yourself to new limits and overcome unforeseen obstacles.

Why Military Medicine?

Now, imagine having the opportunity to work in this incredible field, whilst caring for the brave
men and women who protect our nation. When you accept the Armed Forces Health Professions
Scholarship, you will have your tuition expenses paid for by your branch of service (Army,
Navy, or Air Force), in exchange for medical services to our military members and their families.
You will protect and serve those who protect and serve. Name a greater, more rewarding
responsibility than that.

Military Medicine at RVU

So, what does it look like to be part of the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) at RVU? It’s
awesome. The Military Medicine Program at RVU is a tight-knit group of hard-working
students who hold each other to high standards and expectations. The program is exceptionally
unique; students are taught military leadership skills, immersed in hyper-realistic mass casualty
and surgery simulations, and offered distinctive research opportunities. The Military Medicine
Program staff strives to provide every HPSP student with personalized mentorship, a
characteristic of the program that is invaluable during third and fourth year, when students are
honing their skills and deciding which specialties and residency programs are most suitable to
them.

After completing medical training (for physicians, this includes residency), every HPSP recipient
is expected to pay for their education via one year of military service for every one year of
medical training. Scholarships are available for a variety of practitioners, including dentists,
physician assistants, and physicians, so the length of service is dependent on your program. Picture
this: 10-15 years from now, you’ve received an advanced medical degree, and you are virtually
debt-free! In today’s world, a physician without significant debt is almost unheard of. Ready to
sign on the dotted line?

Entering the world of military medicine means opening the door to intensive training and
educational opportunities that will shape you into a resilient and highly competent medical
provider and officer in the United States military. You will be tested, and you will overcome.
Whatever motivates you to consider HPSP the challenge, the financial stability, or the great
responsibility to serve your country you will not regret joining the Health Professions
Scholarship Program at Rocky Vista University.

Yellow Ribbon Program

Rocky Vista University has been approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program at both our Colorado and Utah campuses! The Yellow Ribbon Program enables U.S. institutions to partner with the VA to help cover tuition and fee costs that exceed the Post-9/11 GI Bill’s standard benefits. RVU’s participation marks a meaningful step forward in expanding access to healthcare education for our military and veteran students, and reflects our ongoing commitment to those who have served.

If you are interested in learning more about military medicine, please visit our website.