Sonya G. Smith, Ed.D., J.D.
Principal Investigator/Program Director
[BIO HOLDER]
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SHPEP convened its last cohort in the Summer of 2026 after 38 years of supporting students pursuing health professions careers. After many years of support for SHPEP, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the program's founding partner and core funder, decided to sunset the initiative following careful deliberation and research. The Foundation is now directing its efforts toward strategies aimed at dismantling structural racism in the health sector at the institutional level. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), and RWJF proudly recognize the program’s lasting impact and thousands of students, alumni, organizational partners, and institutional leaders who contributed to its legacy. This website has been preserved as an archival resource to celebrate SHPEP’s history, outcomes, impact, and contributions to the health professions. Learn more about the program’s conclusion in our FAQs.