For high school students interested in medicine or healthcare, summer programs provide a hands-on opportunity to explore the field. These experiences offer exposure to clinical skills, biomedical research, and public health practices, usually through labs, simulations, and mentorship.
In Louisiana, specifically, many programs are hosted by universities, hospitals, and health education centers across the state, making it easy to find strong options nearby if you live in the state. Whether you’re shadowing medical professionals, working on public health initiatives, or engaging in research, these programs help you build practical skills, clarify your interests, and gain valuable insight into healthcare careers.
To help you begin your search, we’ve curated 15 summer medical programs for high school students in Louisiana!
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August), Fall (September – December), Winter (December – February), and Spring (March – June).
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a GPA above 3.6
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
2. Veritas AI’s AI+Medicine
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI is a program designed for ambitious high school students, established and managed by Harvard graduate students. In the AI + Medicine Deep Dive, students can explore how AI and machine learning are applied to designing medical devices, creating prosthetics, and advancing personalized medicine. This will equip you with the skills to innovate at the crossroads of healthcare and technology. Students get a chance to work on real-world projects using AI & ML models to diagnose diseases, sharpen medical scans, and explain their outcomes to aid doctors and patients. Here is the program brochure and the application form.
3. A-HEC of a Summer
Location: Multiple hospital sites across Louisiana
Cost: Free
Dates: 15 weekdays in June
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Louisiana high school students in grades 9–11 with a GPA of 2.0 or higher
This hospital-based elective provides exposure to clinical environments through job shadowing and rotations across various departments, including radiology, emergency care, and pediatrics. You’ll learn how to measure vital signs, obtain CPR certification, and participate in workshops focused on public health and patient care. The program features site-based volunteering along with structured reflections, providing a deeper understanding of various healthcare roles. Participants will also earn 0.5 high school elective credits as part of this state-accredited program.
4. M.A.S.H. (Medical Applications of Science for Health)
Location: LSU Alexandria, Alexandria, LA
Cost: Free
Dates: Two-week program in June (weekdays only, mornings)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Louisiana students entering grade 12 or having completed grade 12, with prior AHEC program experience and a minimum ACT composite score of 19
M.A.S.H. is a credit-bearing summer course focused on healthcare systems and clinical interactions. You’ll take HESC 1003 and HESC 1004 at a college level, integrating lab skills, mock malpractice trials, and emergency response simulations. The curriculum draws on your high school science foundation and emphasizes teamwork in medical settings. Upon completion, you earn 3 hours of college credit and gain exposure to healthcare professions through both classroom instruction and applied scenarios.
5. STAR Program
Location: Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans, LA
Cost: Free
Dates: Four-week program in June–July (weekdays)
Application Deadline: Varies annually; typically in early spring
Eligibility: Louisiana high school students entering 12th grade; must be at least 16 years old; graduating seniors are not eligible
STAR integrates laboratory research, clinical observation, and professional growth within a hospital environment. Participants will perform experiments in a dedicated student lab, get familiar with medical devices and hospital workflows, and benefit from mentorship by physicians and scientists. The curriculum also includes workshops on public speaking, resume writing, and CPR. Designed for students with limited access to enrichment programs, STAR emphasizes both technical skill-building and long-term educational planning.
6. Summer Research Internship Program
Location: LSU Health Sciences Center, University Medical Center, and Children’s Hospital, New Orleans, LA
Cost: Free
Dates: 8-week program, June–July (poster symposium held late July)
Application Deadline: Varies; typically early spring
Eligibility: High school students entering senior year and undergraduate students; Louisiana residents preferred
This eight-week program immerses you in a laboratory or clinical research setting, allowing you to learn experimental methods, research design, and data analysis. Weekly seminars cover topics such as public health, medical science, and career development. Additionally, you’ll get training in scientific communication. The program concludes with a symposium where you will present your research findings through a poster or oral presentation. Research areas include basic science, clinical medicine, and cancer research, with support from NIH and NSF partners.
7. AHEAD (Allied Health Education and Discovery) Program
Location: LSU Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA
Cost: Free (includes lunch and materials)
Dates: Session 1: June 9 – 13; Session 2: July 7 – 11
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Louisiana high school students (including graduating seniors) with a GPA of 3.0+; must be at least 16 years old and able to attend daily in person
AHEAD is a five-day program designed to introduce you to careers in allied health through immersive activities in labs, clinics, and classroom environments. You’ll rotate through fields such as respiratory therapy, speech-language pathology, public health, and physical therapy, with sessions that emphasize clinical skills, interprofessional teamwork, and educational pathways. The program also offers sessions on college readiness and professional development.
8. Bobbie Cates Hicks SMART Program
Location: LSU Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA
Cost: Free
Dates: 7-week full-time summer research + 10 hours/week during senior year
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Rising seniors in Caddo, Bossier, or DeSoto Parishes; strong GPA (A/B in science); suggested ACT ≥28; must have completed or be enrolled in biology, chemistry, and physics
SMART is a selective, year-long research program that combines summer lab work with continued mentorship during the academic year. You will collaborate with medical or biomedical research teams to explore areas such as molecular biology, neuroscience, or bioengineering. The program focuses on developing skills in independent data collection, scientific writing, and presentation. Many participants later compete in national science fairs and pursue careers in medicine or research.
9. BioStart Program
Location: LSU Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA
Cost: Free
Dates: Summer research program (exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: Varies; typically coordinated through Southwood High School
Eligibility: High school seniors enrolled in Southwood’s Biotechnology Academy
BioStart provides seniors with a guided introduction to biomedical research through hands-on lab placements with faculty specializing in pharmacology, neuroscience, and translational science. Participants will design and perform experiments, analyze biological data, and learn about practical applications in drug development and clinical science. The program focuses on developing lab skills, scientific writing, and exploring careers in biotech and medicine.
10. Medical Student Summer Research Program
Location: LSUHSC-New Orleans; additional sites include University Medical Center, Children’s Hospital (New Orleans), and Our Lady of the Lake (Baton Rouge)
Cost: Free
Dates: 8-week summer program (June–July)
Application Deadline: Varies; typically early spring
Eligibility: Primarily for medical students; select high school and undergraduate students may participate via related tracks
This program provides an intensive, mentor-supported research experience in either clinical or basic sciences. Participants develop technical skills in lab and clinical environments, attend seminars on research ethics and scientific communication, and present their findings at a fall symposium. The research fields include neuroscience, oncology, pediatrics, physiology, and alcohol and drug abuse. Some former participants have co-authored publications and presented at national scientific conferences.
11. Healthcare Careers Lunch and Learn
Location: Partner high schools in the New Orleans area
Cost: Free
Dates: Quarterly sessions during the school year
Application Deadline: Rolling; coordinated through schools
Eligibility: Louisiana high school students in grades 9–12
These interactive lunch sessions link you with healthcare professionals in nursing, medicine, and public health. During these sessions, you’ll participate in Q&A discussions, learn about education routes, and discover different clinical and research career options. The format focuses on direct interaction between students and professionals and aims to complement classroom learning with practical career insights.
12. Summer Science
Location: LSU Health New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
Cost: Free
Dates: 5-week program (June – July)
Application Deadline: March 1 (applications open January 20)
Eligibility: Louisiana high school students entering grades 10–12
This five-week enrichment program offers exposure to careers in medicine, nursing, dentistry, and allied health through hands-on lab activities and campus workshops. You’ll participate in academic sessions and career talks while gaining early familiarity with biomedical research and healthcare systems. The curriculum includes hands-on demonstrations and motivational seminars designed to prepare you for postsecondary pathways in the health sciences.
13. STEM NOLA Medicine Fellows
Location: LSU Health New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
Cost: Free
Dates: One Saturday each semester (4-hour session)
Application Deadline: Rolling; coordinated through STEM NOLA and schools
Eligibility: Louisiana high school students in grades 9–12
This semester-based program offers hands-on exposure to medical careers through half-day sessions at LSUHSC. You’ll participate in interactive modules using robotic simulators, explore core biomedical concepts, and learn about pathways into healthcare and research. Sessions are designed to be high-impact and skill-oriented, with a focus on surgical simulation and lab-based inquiry.
14. Fundamentals of Anatomy
Location: Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Cost: $1,250 (commuter); $2,750 (residential with room & board)
Dates: July 13 – 26
Application Deadline: Closes after 20 students are accepted
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12
This two-week course focuses on comparative anatomy through dissection and lab-based investigation of major body systems. You’ll study organ systems in depth, perform dissections, and visit the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine to gain a deeper understanding of their clinical relevance. The course is designed for students considering medicine, veterinary science, or kinesiology and provides a foundational knowledge of human structure and function.
15. Human Health and Environment
Location: Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Cost: $1,250 (commuter); $2,750 (residential with room & board)
Dates: July 13 – 26
Application Deadline: June 14
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12
This interdisciplinary course explores the links between human health and environmental science. Students examine disease pathways, environmental risk factors, and systems biology through case studies and inquiry-based labs. The curriculum builds essential skills for future studies in biology and environmental science, highlighting the importance of scientific reasoning in tackling public health issues.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Louisiana State University