The Dr. Dennis J. Patterson
Center for the Health Professions

About the Center

Elmhurst’s unique Center for the Health Professions brings together students from across the health care spectrum for an innovative mix of academic and co-curricular programs. We offer:

• Strong academic programs. U.S.News & World Report ranks Elmhurst among the top 10 comprehensive colleges in the Midwest. It’s no wonder that each year, the vast majority of our pre-med and allied health students are accepted to professional schools.
   
• Lots of choices. We offer a wide range of programs and study tracks to prepare you for success in any area of health care—including medicine, dentistry, speech-language pathology, exercise science, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, optometry, physical therapy, nursing, podiatry, and many more.
   
• Expert advising/mentoring. You’ll meet with an expert health professions advisor regularly, starting as early as your first week on campus. Your advisor will help you refine your career goals and chart an academic and co-curricular course to achieve them.
   
• An integrated approach. At Elmhurst, we understand that teamwork is at the heart of effective health care. That is why the Center for the Health Professions brings together students from across the health-care spectrum for workshops, clinical experiences, and projects. 
   
• Great preparation. You’ll gain first-hand experience through practice, clinical experiences, and fieldwork at some of the nation’s leading hospitals, laboratories, and organizations. You’ll participate in seminars and workshops. You’ll build a strong portfolio of your work to show to professional schools or future employers.