The Health Careers Organization (HCO) was founded at the University of California, Riverside in 1987. For more than two decades, we have grown as a reputable organization at UCR, with an emphasis on health professions and service to the community. HCO consists of approximately 200 members yearly, all of whom are provided with the opportunity to engage in interactive meetings, as well as community service. Our bi-weekly gatherings showcase a large variety of guest speakers who introduce topics such as career paths, community service, research, and test-preparation to our members. One of the unique characteristics about our organization is that we place our highest priority on community involvement. We consistently participate in a multitude of events throughout the community, including packaging sandwiches for the homeless (SHARP), providing companionship for the elderly (Young at Heart) and planting trees around the Riverside community (Riverside Celebrates Trees). In addition, we work side by side with philanthropic organizations such as the American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Riverside to promote the well-being of the Human Spirit.

We take great pride being a community service organization. Two of our biggest events include Relay For Life and our Annual Charity Gala.

Relay For Life is an overnight fundraising event hosted by the American Cancer Society. It is designed to spread awareness of cancer prevention, treatments and cures, celebration of surviorship, and to raise money for research to brighten the path towards a cure for cancer.

Every year, HCO assembles an Annual Charity Gala in the hope that college students, as well as the citizens of Riverside, will become more aware of their community. HCO strives to shine a light on a different charities, raising donations by the thousands for their organization. We have worked with organizations ranging from the local downtown Riverside Soup Kitchen to the Thomas Haider Children's Spine Foundation.