BROWNWOOD – October 9, 2026 – Howard Payne University (HPU) student Bethany Blair, a junior biomedical science major from Zephyr, is taking the next step toward her goal of medical school through her participation in the Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP).
JAMP was created by the Texas Legislature to assist students across the state in pursuing their dreams of becoming doctors. The competitive program provides financial aid, advising, internships, Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) preparation and, upon successful completion, guaranteed acceptance into one of Texas’ 14 medical schools.
Acceptance into JAMP is based on a number of factors, including GPA, test scores and
satisfactory evaluations. According to its website, the organization also considers “intelligence, integrity, and personal and emotional characteristics that are considered necessary for the student to become an effective physician.”
Blair is one of 100 students in Texas who were admitted to the program this year. These students were divided up into cohorts to participate in on-sight internships at medical schools around the state.
Over the summer, Blair completed her first of two summer internships at Lubbock’s Texas Tech School of Medicine. She will continue in the program over the remaining two years of her college degree.
“There were 14 of us from around Texas in the cohort in Lubbock,” she said. “I feel like I found my people there. We would hang out and study together.”
During the internship, Blair, who aspires to be a surgeon, shadowed physicians and watched them perform surgeries.
“It was exciting to watch surgeries and see how technology is influencing the field,” she said. “I even got to watch a robot performing laparoscopic surgery.”
Blair is the fourth student from HPU to be accepted into JAMP, along with Hannah (Justice) White ’19, Emily Moran ’25, and Magaly Cervantes, a senior at HPU.
Dr. Kristen Hutchins, dean of HPU’s School of Science and Mathematics, said all four students have been excellent representatives of the university while participating in the program.
“I am so proud of these bright young women,” she said. “JAMP is a lot of work with MCAT prep, extra training and evening coursework, but these students have committed the time and proven themselves successful. They are going to do great things in the future.”
ABOUT HOWARD PAYNE UNIVERSITY
Howard Payne University, founded in 1889, is a Christ-centered liberal arts university in Brownwood, Texas, dedicated to preparing students for lives of faith, leadership and service. With more than 100 majors, minors and pre-professional programs across six schools, serving three locations, HPU combines academic excellence with meaningful personal connection in a close-knit campus community.
Guided by its five core values — centered on Christ, focused on community, called to service, committed to excellence and dedicated to stewardship — Howard Payne prepares students through rigorous academic programs, vibrant student life, competitive athletics and service opportunities that equip graduates to make an impact in their communities and professions.