For many high school students, the dream of becoming a doctor, pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, athletic trainer, or other health care professional starts with a simple but difficult question: Where do I begin?
Bluefield University will help answer that question on Saturday, October 10, 2026, with Health Pathways Recruitment Day, a campus event designed to help students and families understand how a health care career can begin at BU.
The day will bring students face-to-face with Bluefield faculty, current students, alumni, health care professionals, and representatives from health-related pathways. Students will be able to ask questions about college preparation, graduate and professional school, cost, admissions requirements, and what they should be doing now if they want to pursue a future in health care.
“Students and families need to understand the process it takes to pursue medical school, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, pharmacy, or another advanced health care degree,” Bluefield University President Dr. Steve Peterson said. “This event brings faculty, health care professionals, and partner organizations together in one place for one day to help students see the pathway more clearly. At Bluefield, we want students to know they can begin that journey in a Christ-centered and affordable environment.”
Health Pathways Recruitment Day will highlight medicine, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, athletic training, sports medicine, exercise and sport science, biology, chemistry, and other health pathways.
The event will also draw clear connections to Bluefield’s sister schools, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia, and Appalachian College of Pharmacy in Oakwood, Virginia. Those relationships give students a clearer view of how undergraduate study at Bluefield can connect to professional programs in medicine and pharmacy.
Students will tour campus, hear from a health careers panel and take part in interactive lab experiences. Lunch will give students time to talk with faculty, health care professionals and current students, followed by an admissions session on applying, scholarships, financial aid and next steps.
For Brayden Surface, the path to becoming a doctor began at Bluefield. He is a 2026 Bluefield University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in biology and is now attending the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg.
“Bluefield University has everything you need to be successful,” Surface said. “While this path requires a lot of self-discipline and hard work, the people at Bluefield University are there to help you along the journey.”
Health Pathways Recruitment Day is intended for high school students and families interested in health care careers.
Saturday, October 10, 2026 — 10:00 am – 2:30 pm
Registration is required at: https://www.bluefield.edu/health-pathways-day/
Pathways Featured
- Medicine / Osteopathic Medicine
Through Bluefield’s sister school, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Pharmacy
Through Bluefield’s sister school, Appalachian College of Pharmacy
- Physician Assistant
Learn how undergraduate preparation can lead to PA school and meet a practicing physician assistant who is a Bluefield University graduate.
- Physical Therapy
Explore PT preparation and related graduate pathways.
- Athletic Training / Sports Medicine
Learn from Bluefield athletic training and sports medicine professionals.
- Exercise and Sport Science
See how movement, health and performance connect to health careers.
- Biology, Chemistry and Pre-Health
Understand the foundation for medical, pharmacy and other health pathways.
- RN-BSN
For students already pursuing or planning to complete registered nursing preparation. Bluefield offers an online RN-BSN program for registered nurses.