Our History
Our vision and mission are based on years of research
Founded in 1983 to advance the study and promotion of primary care, our organization has identified that the key to developing the primary care workforce is to start at the high school and college level.
We target our efforts where the research demonstrates we can make the most difference: identifying and assisting undergraduate students that are most likely to practice in health professions pathways.
We provide a variety of services, including the Student Doctor Network community forums, How-To guides, and the Premed Planner application.
From its humble beginnings in 1999, the Student Doctor Network community forums have grown to become the largest community for pre-health and health students across the US and Canada. We have helped hundreds of thousands of students in their quest to become doctors.
A look at how we’ve grown through the years:
Coastal Research Group, a 501(c)(3) California nonprofit educational organization was founded by a group of family medicine educators, physicians, residency program directors, and public policy leaders. The mission of the organization was to research and promote family medicine and primary health care access.
The first Primary Health Care Access (PHCA) Conference was held in the American Club, Wisconsin.
The Student Doctor Network was founded in Seal Beach, California, with a goal of providing resources for the medical school application process via the internet.
The Student Doctor Network merged with Coastal Research Group.
Coastal Research Group held the 30th and final PHCA Conference in Kauai, Hawaii.
Coastal Research Group changed its name to “Health Professional Student Association” to better reflect its focus on increasing access to health care by helping students pursuing health professions careers become health professionals.
Activity Finder was announced as an Open Data for Good Grand Challenge winner in the Health and COVID-19 category.
The inaugural Undergraduate Medical Accelerator Program was held at Tulsa Community College.
HPSA launches Becoming a Student Doctor, an online course to help students understand the challenges of healthcare delivery in limited access regions and the academic and professional competencies they need to develop to be successful through their education and career.
The Student Doctor Network celebrates 25 years of helping students become doctors, including launching its inaugural Prehealth Scholarship.