16 D'MENSIONS MAGAZINE WINTER 2026 D’YOU KNOW 16 D'MENSIONS MAGAZINE WHEN D’YOUVILLE UNIVERSITY launched its Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP), the goal was ambitious yet deeply aligned with the institution’s mission: to expand access to health professions education for students who have the talent and drive to succeed, but who may lack the financial, academic or social resources traditionally required to enter — and persist in — these demanding fields. Today, under the leadership of Dr. Megan Whelan, dean of the School of Health Professions and project director for HCOP, the program is demonstrating measurable impact across Buffalo and rural Western New York, while laying the groundwork for a stronger, more equitable healthcare workforce. “[HCOP] is a great opportunity for us ... to grow and support health professionals, diversify our class- rooms and help create a more inclusive health professions workforce.” HCOP program opens doors, builds futures D’Youville’s Health Careers Opportunity Program aims to cut into shortage of healthcare providers in WNY, nationally HEALTH SCIENCES Funded through a $3.285 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration in 2024, the D’Youville HCOP supports qualified high school, undergraduate, graduate and professional students from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds as they pursue careers in the health professions. The program is designed not only to help students enroll in health professions programs, but to ensure they graduate, thrive and ultimately serve in medically underserved communities — many of them in Western New York. “This grant aligns with our mission to serve others in need, particularly in our rural and underserved communities,” Whelan says. “It is a great opportunity for us, as a university, to grow and support health professionals, diversify our classrooms and help create a more inclusive health professions workforce.” A CRITICAL REGIONAL NEED The urgency behind HCOP is clear. Nationwide, the average ratio of healthcare providers to residents is approximately 810:1. In Western New York, that ratio is nearly double, and in rural counties the shortage is even more stark. Orleans County, for example, has just one primary care physician for every 13,330 residents. These shortages strain health systems, limit access to care and disproportionately affect underserved populations. “As a healthcare university, D’Youville is focused on providing transformational experiences for our students,” says D’Youville President Dr. Lorrie Clemo. “The HCOP program creates collaborative, interdisciplinary experiential training opportunities with community partners across Western New York. Our students are practicing the skills they are learning in real time — while making a meaningful difference in communities that need them most.” Fitness coach and Next Level Bootcamp WNY founder Genetino Coplin speaks to students in D’Youville’s Health Careers Opportunity Program, or HCOP, which supports high school and college students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Dr. Megan Whelan Dean, School of Health Professions
