Health Associates Program

About the Experience

Health Associates work with interdisciplinary project teams in the Texas Health Catalyst program alongside leaders in an unpaid experiential learning opportunity.

What Health Associates Learn

• Hands-on experience working on health care technology commercialization
• Knowledge of critical steps and considerations in health care commercialization through a bootcamp series featuring leaders from Dell Medical School and partners
• Exposure to cutting-edge projects and the latest trends and technologies in health care
• Access to exclusive presentation and networking opportunities with clinical leaders and industry at the “Roundup and Rodeo” event
• Development of marketable skills in industry research, project management and scientific communication

Commitments

• Four to six hours/week for the fall Texas Health Catalyst cycle (three months), including:
  • Attending Texas Health Catalyst program events and associate meetings to report team progress
  • Coordinating, attending, facilitating and capturing takeaways at mentor-project meetings
  • Attending at least five to six training meetings upon program kickoff (weekly in-person sessions, dates and times TBA)
  • Completing pre-work or assignments required for the bootcamp  
• Informing program leads and assigned project team(s) of availability and expected absences in a timely manner
• Proactively communicating with project team members, other Health Associates and program leads about assigned tasks
• Conducting weekly check-ins among teams
• Adhere to program expectations to be paired with a Texas Health Catalyst finalist team in the consulting phase

Network Members

Due to the limited number of Texas Health Catalyst finalist teams, the program is only able to accommodate 20-30 associates in any cycle. Those who apply to the associate program but are not selected to be paired with a finalist team can be invited to become a network member.

What Network Members Receive

• Knowledge of critical steps and considerations in health care commercialization through a bootcamp series featuring leaders from Dell Medical School and partners
• Exposure to cutting-edge projects and the latest trends and technologies in health care
• Access to exclusive networking opportunities with clinical leaders and industry at the “Roundup and Rodeo” event.
• Membership in the Health Associate student community of the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Development of marketable skills in industry research, project management and scientific communication

Commitments

• Four to six hours/week for the Fall 2026 Health Associate Bootcamp (one month)
• Attending four to six bootcamp meetings upon program kickoff (weekly in-person sessions held in the Health Discovery Building, dates and times are listed below) 
• Informing program leads of availability and expected absences in a timely manner
• Completing any pre-work or assignments for the bootcamp

Eligibility

The program is open to all University of Texas at Austin students eager to make an impact in health care innovation. Skills and experience in life sciences, communications, finance, valuation, pitch decks, business plans and market analysis may be useful but are not required. Associate cohorts often include undergraduate and graduate students from various colleges, including Dell Medical School, College of Natural Sciences, McCombs School of Business, College of Pharmacy, Cockrell School of Engineering and more.

Program Timeline

• Application Opens: Monday, Aug. 17, 2026
• Application Deadline: Friday, Aug. 28, 2026
• Associate training bootcamp: Sept.-Oct. 2026

Individual bootcamp dates:

Bootcamps will take place on Wednesdays in the Health Learning Building Auditorium (HLB 1.111) or the Health Discovery Building Auditorium (HDB 1.208). Exact locations noted below.

• Sept. 9, 4 p.m.–5:30 p.m. (HLB 1.111 Auditorium) — Narrow Definition of Problem and Customer
• Sept. 16, 4 p.m.–5:30 p.m. (HLB 1.111 Auditorium) — Due Diligence & Competitive Landscape Analysis
• Sept. 23, 4 p.m.–5:30 p.m. (HLB 1.111 Auditorium) — Regulatory Basics & FDA Predicate Device strategies
• Sept. 30, 4 p.m.–5:30 p.m. (HDB 1.208 Auditorium) — The Art of Storytelling
• Oct. 7, 4 p.m.–5:30 p.m. (HLB 1.111 Auditorium) — From Discovery to Impact: Disclosures & IP Basics
• Oct. 14, 4 p.m.–5:30 p.m. (HLB 1.111 Auditorium) — Funding Mechanisms & Relevant Case Studies
• Wednesdays, Oct. 21—Nov. 18, 4-5 p.m. — Virtual weekly Health Associate huddles

Next Phases and Conclusion:

• Texas Health Catalyst Project Consulting Phase: Oct.—Dec. 2026
• “Roundup and Rodeo” Showcase Event and Presentations: Dec. 10, 2026
• Fall 2026 Cycle Projected End Date: Dec. 2026

Note: All dates are tentative and subject to change.

How to Apply

Applications for the Fall 2026 Health Associate Program will open on Aug. 17, 2026. Please check back on Aug. 17 for the application link.

Contact

For any questions about the program or application, email DMS-HealthAssociates@utexas.edu and include your name and “Health Associates Program” in the subject line.