UC Davis holds the largest pre-health event in the nation, and it’s entirely run by students
By NAREN KRISHNA JEGAN – science@theaggie.org
During summer break, when UC Davis students are either relaxing, taking summer courses or gaining internship experience, over 75 students spent hours preparing and training to represent UC Davis at one of the largest events in the United States.
Held every fall, this nationally renowned event brings together over 3,000 aspiring healthcare professionals, from future doctors and dentists to veterinarians, nurses and more. Open to students and graduates alike, the Pre-Health Conference (PHC) features the largest pre-health fair in the nation, hosting hundreds of exhibitors and dozens of panels, workshops and networking opportunities.
Long before the crowds arrive and the panels begin, a dedicated team of student ambassadors and moderators work tirelessly behind the scenes to bring the conference to life. Planning begins just two weeks after the previous year’s event ends, with hundreds of student volunteers taking on critical roles that make the day possible.
Wearing brightly colored t-shirts, ambassadors can be found all across campus on conference day guiding guests through Hutchison Field, assisting exhibitors at their booths and offering directions with a welcoming smile. Inside lecture halls, moderators keep the program running smoothly, introducing guest speakers, managing Q&A sessions and ensuring interactive and didactic workshops run smoothly.
Noelle Law Huynh, a fourth-year biochemistry and molecular biology major and former ambassador, shares how she has seen the event grow from a jumble of ideas in November to one of the largest events organized entirely by student volunteers.
“[The volunteers’] dedication and teamwork are what transform the conference into more than just a gathering,” Law Huynh said. “It becomes a space where students can learn from each other, share experiences and feel like they are part of something bigger. For me, being part of PHC has meant gaining new friends, mentors and skills, but more importantly, it has shown me how powerful it is when different voices come together with a shared passion for health. The conference truly reflects the strength of our student and pre-health community.”
The conference is split into two main components: the PHC and the workshops.
The PHC, held on Hutchison Field, has hundreds of tents of exhibitors filled with aspiring healthcare professionals across the globe. Here, attendees can connect directly with admissions officers, learn about academic programs and explore the full range of health-related careers.
The workshops, which are a central feature of the conference, cover a wide range of topics, from how to craft a standout application and prepare for admissions interviews to in-depth panels on careers in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and beyond. Many sessions feature admissions representatives from top programs, licensed professionals and even current health professional students who share their journeys and give advice. For attendees, these sessions offer not only practical guidance but also hands-on experiences where one can learn how to suture, perform clinical exams and administer hands-on CPR.
One of these volunteers is Ashlynn Vong, a ______ major and PHC moderator, who attended last year’s PHC.
“As a student preparing for a future in healthcare, attending the Pre-Health Conference at UC Davis was truly transformative,” Vong said. “The event gave me the opportunity to connect directly with admissions representatives, healthcare professionals and students from a wide variety of fields. I gained practical advice on the application process, insight into different career paths and motivation from hearing the personal journeys of professionals who were once in my shoes.”
Jamie Zhu, a rising third-year majoring in neurobiology, physiology and behavior and a moderator at last year’s PHC, recalls how volunteering for the event helped her grow as an aspiring healthcare professional.
“My favorite memory was moderating for the Nursing School Admissions Panel,” Zhu said. “The process of drafting emails, writing workshop descriptions, creating panel questions and meeting the speakers in person to ask those questions felt like the last piece to a puzzle. It was super satisfying to see how all the work I did came together and how smooth the panel went. I have always avoided public speaking whenever I can, but the moderator experience encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone more, and one day, I believe with enough practice, I would eventually find comfort in public speaking.”
For students beginning their pre-health journey, the PHC at UC Davis serves as a springboard for students to explore the various fields of study and opportunities to thrive. Trisha Sukale, a rising fourth-year majoring in neurobiology, physiology and behavior and a PHC moderator recalls how attending — and later, volunteering — for the PHC shaped her experience at UC Davis.
“As a student interested in pursuing a pre-health profession, beginning my journey at UC Davis felt overwhelming,” Sukale said. “I had a general idea of what the next four years might look like, but uncertainty left me with countless questions.”
Sukale continued by describing what the PHC has meant for her.
“Attending my first Pre-Health Conference completely changed that,” Sukale said. “I was immediately immersed in the supportive nature of the pre-health community at Davis. This conference sparked the beginning of my passion for collaborating with like-minded individuals. With the right amount of planning, the event ran much like a well-oiled machine.”
Additionally, Sukale described the work that goes into the event.
“Hundreds of volunteers, programs and attendees working together seamlessly to create an experience that would inspire students for years to come,” Sukale said. “It is incredible to witness this passion and dedication that upholds the tradition of the Pre-Health Conference to this day. In the days leading up to the event, Conference ambassadors or volunteers and leadership members come together to ensure that all aspects of the Conference are delivered [Hutchison] Field for the pre-health fair to assembling thousands of attendee bags, the success of the event could not be possible without the planning and the meticulous attention to detail from countless dedicated individuals.”
This year, the PHC at UC Davis will take place on Saturday, October 18. With a few weeks before the big day, the event is starting to take shape, bringing in one of the most diverse and enriching lineup of exhibitors and workshops. Students who are interested in attending or volunteering can find more information on the PHC website.
Written by: Naren Krishna Jegan — science@theaggie.org
