The University of Hawai‘i will launch a new Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Premedical Sciences in Fall 2026, coordinated by the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) in collaboration with six schools, colleges, and departments across the UH system. The program is designed to give students the opportunity to strengthen their academic preparation and take the next step toward medical or health professions training.
The certificate provides students with a solid foundation in the fundamentals of physiology, genetics, biomedical ethics, immunology, and statistics, with electives available in areas such as neuroscience. A distinguishing feature is access to Gross Anatomy labs—hands-on coursework usually reserved for medical students—that provides rare early exposure to medical-level anatomy in a premedical setting. The program is particularly valuable for students who may not have followed a traditional premedical pathway or who want an additional step to demonstrate their readiness for professional school.
“This program reflects the strength of the University of Hawai‘i system as a whole,” said Dr. T. Samuel “Sam” Shomaker, MD, JD, MSM, Dean of the John A. Burns School of Medicine. “It brings together expertise not just from the medical school, but from across our campuses, to create an integrated program rooted in biomedical sciences, life sciences, and public health. Students will benefit from engaging with faculty across these disciplines, building the preparation and perspective they need for the next stage of their journey into medicine and health care.
Just as importantly, this is about building Hawai‘i’s workforce. Our state and the Pacific region face persistent shortages of physicians and health professionals, particularly outside of urban centers. By opening access to advanced scientific training and mentoring, and by supporting students who may not have been fully ready to apply directly to medical school, we are broadening the pool of qualified applicants. Ultimately, this strengthens not only individual students but also the healthcare system that depends on them.”
“Across Hawai‘i, and especially on the neighbor islands, communities live every day with the reality of too few doctors,” said Prof. Alex Stokes, Program Director and originator of the certificate. “Not every student prepares for medical school during their undergraduate years, and some discover their interest later or realize they need an additional step to strengthen their foundation. This certificate provides that step. It helps students demonstrate to admissions committees a clear commitment to medicine, while giving them exposure to courses and experiences—such as Gross Anatomy and close faculty mentorship—that add a genuine competitive edge. It also gives students the chance to test themselves against the subject matter and workload, helping them confirm whether medicine is truly the right path for them.”
“The Department of Cell and Molecular Biology is proud to play a leading role in this program,” said Professor Olivier LeSaux, PhD, Chair of the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology at JABSOM. “Our faculty, together with colleagues across UH Mānoa, have designed a curriculum that emphasizes both the scientific fundamentals and the broader context of health. By combining rigorous coursework with exposure to diverse disciplines, we aim to prepare students not only for medical and health professions schools but also for lifelong learning in biomedical science. This certificate represents an important new pathway for students who want to pursue careers that improve health in Hawai‘i and beyond.”
This effort is coordinated by JABSOM and delivered through collaboration among its departments of Cell and Molecular Biology, Anatomy, Biochemistry & Physiology, and Quantitative Health Sciences, together with colleagues from the School of Life Sciences and the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health at UH Mānoa.
Applications for the first cohort are now being accepted. More information is available at
https://cmb.jabsom.hawaii.edu/post-baccalaureate-program/index.html
