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Recognition honors UMA鈥檚 role in expanding healthcare career exposure

TAMPA, Fla. 鈥� October 13, 2026 鈥� Brain Expansions Scholastic Training, Inc. (B.E.S.T.) has named Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) its 2026 Education Partner of the Year, recognizing UMA鈥檚 role in expanding healthcare career exposure, mentorship and hands-on learning opportunities for B.E.S.T. participants across Tampa Bay. This recognition underscores UMA鈥檚 growing role as a key contributor to Florida鈥檚 healthcare talent pipeline at a time when the state faces persistent shortages in critical allied health roles.

B.E.S.T. is a nonprofit organization that identifies, inspires and supports underresourced and underexposed youth, primarily middle school, high school and early college students, through medical experiences, mentorship and advanced learning opportunities that prepare them to pursue and thrive in healthcare careers. Each year, the award honors an academic institution that provides meaningful access, resources and immersive experiences to help these students explore a variety of healthcare professions. This year, B.E.S.T. participants visited UMA鈥檚 Tampa campus for shadowing experiences, skills workshops and conversations with UMA faculty and staff about pathways into allied health roles.

鈥淭he support from UMA is invaluable to the success of B.E.S.T. and it validates the importance of our mission and the work we are doing in the community,鈥� said Dr. Dexter Frederick, founder of B.E.S.T. 鈥淭he shadowing opportunity and skills workshop that UMA provides allows us to deepen our impact, reach more students and continue building pathways that inspire young people to pursue careers in medicine, leadership and service. In collaboration with UMA, we are giving our students hope, access and opportunity.鈥�

, President of UMA, said the recognition reflects UMA鈥檚 commitment to expanding opportunity and strengthening the future healthcare workforce.

鈥淭his recognition reflects the core of UMA鈥檚 purpose: preparing more people to step into the healthcare roles our communities urgently need,鈥� Schaffrath said. 鈥淥ur partnership with B.E.S.T. supports students at a pivotal moment, when early exposure, encouragement and hands鈥憃n experiences can help them see a future for themselves in healthcare careers. By opening these pathways earlier, we are helping more people envision themselves in healthcare roles and strengthening the pipeline of talent Florida鈥檚 healthcare system depends on. We are proud to work alongside Dr. Frederick and the B.E.S.T. team to build pathways that uplift people and strengthen the healthcare workforce.鈥�

UMA鈥檚 work to close Florida鈥檚 healthcare talent gap includes expanding early career exposure, strengthening skills development and creating clearer pathways into allied health roles for students across the country. Its partnership with B.E.S.T. is a key part of that effort, providing under鈥憆esourced learners with mentorship, hands鈥憃n learning and direct insight into in鈥慸emand healthcare careers. Florida continues to face significant workforce shortages, including more than 8,000 allied health vacancies statewide according to the Florida Hospital Association and programs like B.E.S.T. help UMA reach future healthcare professionals earlier, building a stronger, more sustainable talent pipeline that directly supports the state鈥檚 workforce needs.

About Ultimate Medical Academy:

The need for skilled healthcare workers in the United States continues to grow. Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) is an accredited, nonprofit educational institution that helps to meet that need by equipping and empowering students to do vital work at the heart of healthcare. In addition to offering diploma and degree programs, UMA works closely with healthcare employers to connect learners directly to job opportunities.

Based in Tampa, Florida and operating for over 30 years, UMA offers hands-on learning at its main campus in Clearwater, Florida as well as content-rich, interactive programs through its online campus. The institution supports students through every step of their journey with access to academic support, interview and resume coaching, job search assistance, technical support and more.

UMA has 120,000+ alumni and 20,000+ students nationwide and is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES, ). Learn more by visiting www.ultimatemedical.edu.

About Brain Expansions Scholastic Training, Inc., AKA B.E.S.T.

Brain Expansions Scholastic Training, Inc. (B.E.S.T., Inc.) is an award-winning not-for-profit organization committed to uplifting youth, who are inspired to pursue careers in healthcare. Our mission is to address critical gaps in healthcare access and workforce development by fostering innovation in youth education, community engagement, and professional mentorship. We identify, inspire, and support both under-resourced and under-exposed youth through professional medical experiences and advanced learning opportunities to increase their potential to test for, place in, and thrive in healthcare careers. The B.E.S.T. Medical Academy provides a comprehensive academic curriculum, strong mentorship, and strategic programming to ensure youth scholars鈥� success by firsthand exposure to and inclusion from accomplished medical professionals. B.E.S.T. and an array of premier partnerships are committed to the elimination of the growing disparities in medical care across the nation. By skillfully, equipping this next generation of compassionate, workforce-ready, healthcare heroes, the B.E.S.T. Medical Academy is leading the way. For more information, visit or follow us on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.