Over the past two years, we have actively encouraged individuals in high school and college as well as those switching careers to learn more about OP&P (or POP) and consider it as a career. During that time, we have reached 13+ million through social media and 8+ million through targeted digital advertising. Additionally, we have had 11+ million visitors to WhatIsPOP.org, distributed 6,000 free career materials and engaged 130+ Ambassadors from 33 states to help spread the message locally and nationally.

Our next big project is a major campaign to expand on these activities and focus an entire month on celebrating the profession. POP Month, set to happen in March 2025, will help cultivate a sense of pride in the profession and the individuals who make it such a rewarding career.

What will POP Month look like? There will be a month-long flurry of activities including media stories, recurring social media posts, ongoing online advertising, events like open houses and shadow days and much more. We encourage members of the entire POP community to participate and amplify the reach of POP Month by holding events or participating in whatever way appeals most to them.

The campaign will kick off with the release of workforce research highlighting the need for POP professionals amid the looming workforce shortage. We will use this research to help generate national and local media coverage.

Throughout POP Month we will highlight three key messages:

1. POP is the most interesting career in health care and there is a workforce shortage
2. POP offers exciting jobs and innovations to individuals with all levels of education and experience
3. Opportunities abound and there’s a POP path for everyone

We have already begun engaging individuals, facilities, manufacturers, educational institutions and consumer groups to help spread the word about POP. Our goals for POP Month are to increase awareness of POP, cultivate pride throughout the profession and drive career interest that leads to increased enrollment in education programs.

How can you be involved? Email us to learn how you can help promote POP Month. We will provide the guidance and materials needed to make your participation in this event a success! You can also visit POPMonth.org for more information and to sign up for our POP Month e-newsletter with updates and ideas. And who knows, if POP Month proves successful, it just might become an annual event!