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January 12, 2025
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13 Summer Medical Programs for High School Students in Washington

This article lists 13 summer medical programs for high school students in Washington, including internships and hands-on opportunities in various healthcare fields.

Are you aiming for a future in medicine? Building experience in medical research can give you a strong foundation. Not only does it open pathways to hands-on involvement in the field, but it also prepares you for upcoming research projects and internships. In Washington State, various programs connect students with healthcare professionals, providing early exposure to the realities of medical work.

As a high schooler, you can explore opportunities such as programs, research internships, and camps that focus on medical research, healthcare technology, and clinical practice. These experiences deepen your understanding of the healthcare sector and help prepare you for a future career in the field.

Here are 13 summer programs in medicine designed to help high school students build foundational skills and gain early exposure. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.

13 Summer Medical Programs for High School Students in Washington

1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)

Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).

Location: Virtual

Subject Areas: Medicine, Neuroscience, Data Science, Psychology, Biology, and more

Who is Eligible: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.

Horizon offers trimester-long research programs across various subjects, including medicine, neuroscience, and biology. Students work with professors or Ph.D. scholars from top universities to create a university-level research paper, suitable for submission to high-profile academic journals. The program allows students to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research, depending on their interests. Through guided mentorship, students create comprehensive research papers (approximately 20 pages) aimed at potential publication in esteemed journals.

2. INSIGHT High School Program

Cost: $2,200

Program Dates: July 7 – August 1

Location: Virtual

Subject Areas: Clinical Research, Healthcare Administration, Public Health

Who is Eligible: High school students entering grades 9-12 with an interest in healthcare

The INSIGHT High School Program aims to teach you core public health concepts while facilitating field research data collection and analysis. You will enhance your critical thinking, public speaking, and data visualization skills.

Throughout the program, you will complete a capstone project focused on injury and violence prevention, gaining insights into social justice as it relates to individual and community health. You will engage with healthcare professionals through speaker panels, network with peers, and participate in interactive remote social activities.

Students who fulfill all program requirements will receive a Certificate of Completion. The program will culminate in an online research symposium where you can present your capstone project to physicians, researchers, medical professionals, and college students, with families encouraged to attend.

3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Medical Track

Cost: $2,800 (12 weeks) and $5,400 (16-20 weeks). Financial aid is available.

Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.

Location: Virtual

Subject Areas: Medical Research, Epidemiology, Neuroscience

Who is Eligible: High school students with a strong academic record (minimum GPA of 3.3 out of 4) are eligible. Prior knowledge in the chosen field of interest is optional.

Lumiere’s medical track pairs students with expert mentors to conduct research in fields such as epidemiology and neuroscience. The program offers personalized, 1-on-1 mentorship with Ph.D. scholars across a wide range of subjects. Over 12 weeks, students work on an independent research project, culminating in the creation of a research paper. This program is ideal for students who want to publish research papers and gain deep insights into specific medical fields.

4. MultiCare Academy for Students in Healthcare (M.A.S.H.) Camp

Cost: Free

Program Dates: July

Location: Various MultiCare Facilities in Washington (Tacoma, Puyallup, Spokane)

Subject Areas: Medicine, Nursing, Allied Health, Emergency Medicine

Who is Eligible: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors from Pierce, South King, Kitsap, and North Thurston counties who are interested in nursing or other health-related careers

M.A.S.H. Camp offers students a behind-the-scenes look at various healthcare careers. Through hands-on activities, you can explore healthcare roles, such as nursing, emergency medicine, and allied health professions. You will be engaged in simulations, shadowing, and learn practical clinical skills, making this a valuable program for students considering a medical career. As a participant in the M.A.S.H. Camp, you’ll join medical professionals from various disciplines.

5. University of Washington – UDOC

Cost: Free

Program Dates: June 23rd – August 1st

Location: University of Washington, Seattle

Subject Areas: Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Public Health

Who is Eligible: Current high school juniors in Washington State (completing junior year by July 1) who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or hold DACA status. Must belong to an underrepresented group in health professions (e.g., economic, geographic, educational, race/ethnicity, LGBTQIA2S+).

The University of Washington’s UDOC (Underrepresented Doctors of Color) program is a free, immersive summer experience designed for current high school juniors in Washington State. The program provides you with hands-on exposure to various healthcare professions. You will develop critical skills in clinical sciences, public health, and patient care through simulations and workshops.

The program is usually held in two parts: three weeks virtual (July 1 – July 19), followed by three weeks in person at the University of Washington Seattle campus (July 22 – August 9), subject to COVID-19 and CDC guidelines.

6. Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program

Cost: Free (with stipend)
Program Dates: June – August
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle
Subject Areas: Oncology Research, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics
Who is Eligible: High school juniors and seniors with an interest in cancer research

The Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP) is a competitive (Acceptance rate< 5%), eight-week, full-time paid internship. The program kicks off with two weeks of hands-on laboratory safety training and skill-building in the Fred Hutch Training Labs. For the remaining six weeks, you will be paired with research mentors and fully immersed in projects within a Fred Hutch research group in Seattle.

Alongside your research work, you will attend seminars, participate in professional development workshops centered on college and career readiness, and engage in social activities with your peers. The program concludes with a presentation of your research to the Fred Hutch community, making it an ideal opportunity for those interested in cutting-edge cancer therapies.

7. Seattle Children’s Research Institute – Summer Scholars

Cost: Free (with stipend)

Program Dates: July – August

Location: Seattle Children’s Research Institute

Subject Areas: Pediatrics, Neuroscience, Genetics

Who is Eligible: Rising juniors and seniors with a passion for pediatric research. High school students from backgrounds historically underrepresented in the biomedical and health sciences are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Summer Scholars Program gives you, as an undergraduate student, a paid summer internship to work on basic, clinical, community-based, or translational research projects at Seattle Children’s Research Institute. You’ll be mentored by experienced researchers and principal investigators, gaining valuable hands-on experience.

The program focuses on laboratory skills, research ethics, and scientific communication, making it ideal for students interested in medical research related to child health. You will spend 35 hours per week for nine weeks performing mentored research on a project you selected during the application process.

In addition to your research work, you will spend five hours per week on a curriculum aimed at building research knowledge, exploring research pathways, and discussing cultural issues in research. The program includes training on responsible and ethical research conduct (RCR) and provides professional development for networking and career exploration. The program ends with publishing an abstract and presenting your research at a poster symposium.

8. Na-ha-shnee STEAM Summer Institute

Cost: Free (with stipend)

Program Dates: July

Location: Washington State University, Spokane

Subject Areas: Medical Science, Nursing, Pharmacy, First aid and CPR training, Basic nursing skills, Traditional medicine, Native American elder teachings, Substance abuse and education, Diabetes education, Leadership skill building

Who is Eligible: Native American high school students who have completed grades 9-12 by spring and are interested in health sciences or STEAM fields.

The Na-ha-shnee STEAM Summer Institute introduces you to various healthcare careers through clinical observations, hands-on labs, and skill-building workshops. This two-week summer camp at Washington State University Spokane allows you to explore health sciences careers through practical learning experiences led by healthcare providers, WSU Spokane faculty, and health sciences college students.

Focused on underrepresented students, the program offers training in medical technologies, nursing, and pharmacology. All expenses are covered, including transportation, housing, meals, educational materials, and cultural activities. First-year participants who complete the program will receive a Chromebook and a $200 stipend on a pre-paid debit card.

9. UW Nurse Camp

Cost: Free

Program Dates: July

Location: University of Washington, Seattle

Subject Areas: Nursing, Patient Care, Anatomy

Who is Eligible: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in nursing

The UW Nurse Camp is a free week-long camp for students interested in nursing careers. You will develop core nursing skills, including patient interaction, clinical techniques, and anatomical knowledge through immersive simulations and hands-on learning. You will shadow nurses in various hospital units at UW Medical Center – Northwest and UW Medical Center – Montlake, complete CPR and HIPAA training, and learn about infection control, hand-washing techniques, taking blood pressure and vitals, and preparing for college and nursing school. Hands-on learning takes place in the School of Nursing’s simulation lab and UW Medicine’s WISH Lab. You will also engage in nursing “speed rounds” to meet nurses from diverse fields like forensics, public health, emergency care, and research, be mentored by UW nursing students, and make new friends and memories.

10. BioQuest Academy at Seattle Biomedical Research Institute 

Cost: Free

Program Dates: June – July

Location: Seattle BioMed, Seattle

Subject Areas: Infectious Diseases, Global Health, Microbiology

Who is Eligible: High school juniors and seniors

Seattle Biomedical Research Institute’s BioQuest Academy is a two-week summer program for local teens interested in science and infectious disease research. Through laboratory work and experiments, you will develop technical skills in microbiology and global health, preparing you for future research in epidemiology and medicine. BioQuest invited ISB high school interns to their lab to learn about cutting-edge malaria research and participate in a mosquito dissection.

11. Roots to Wings Program – PNWU

Cost: Free

Program Dates: Rolling

Location: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, Yakima

Subject Areas: Rural Healthcare, Osteopathic Medicine, Public Health

Who is Eligible: Indigenous students, particularly from the Yakama Nation, or students from rural communities

The Roots to Wings program is designed to inspire Indigenous and rural students to pursue careers in healthcare. Through mentorship and hands-on activities, you will gain exposure to osteopathic medicine, rural health challenges, and public health topics.

The program includes lab work in chemistry, where you will conduct experiments, and electromyography (EMG) to learn about muscle activity. You will also participate in patient care simulations that mimic real-world scenarios, helping you develop critical thinking and clinical skills. Additionally, you will explore various healthcare roles, including medicine, nursing, physical therapy,

12. Institute for Systems Biology – Summer High School Internship

Cost: Free (with stipend)

Program Dates: June – August

Location: Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle

Subject Areas: Systems Biology, Genomics, Bioinformatics

Who is Eligible: High school juniors and seniors

The Institute for Systems Biology Summer High School Internship provides you an opportunity to engage in research projects focused on systems biology and genomics. You will use bioinformatics tools and laboratory techniques to investigate complex biological systems. The program offers technical training in data analysis and experimental design, equipping you with valuable research skills and practical experience in the field.

Every January, these opportunities are posted on the ISB Careers Webpage, providing students the chance to engage in cutting-edge research and educational projects.

13. STEM Summer Program at Whitman College – Pre-Health Majors

Cost: Available on enquiry.

Program Dates: June

Location: Whitman College, Walla Walla

Subject Areas: Neuroscience, Biology, Chemistry

Who is Eligible: High school students passionate about health sciences

This summer program allows you to explore health sciences through subjects like neuroscience, biology, and chemistry. Through lab sessions and fieldwork, you will gain practical research skills, making it a strong choice for those interested in neuroscience or biological research. To learn more about pre-health opportunities at Whitman College, schedule an appointment with Kimberly Mueller, director of the Office of Health Profession Advising.

 

 

Image Source – Horizon Logo

David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.