Are you a high school student in Massachusetts with a keen interest in the medical field? Do you dream of a future in healthcare, biomedical research, or biotechnology? The High School Health Careers Program (HSHCP) at UMass Chan Medical School offers an incredible opportunity to explore diverse Medical Career Programs and get a head start on your journey. This intensive, four-week residential program is designed for motivated sophomore and junior high school students like you, and it’s completely tuition-free!
The HSHCP is more than just a summer camp; it’s an immersive experience into the world of Biomedical Research, Biotechnology, and Health Professions (BBHP). This program is specifically crafted to provide a comprehensive understanding of the vast landscape of medical career programs available, from patient care to cutting-edge research. You’ll gain invaluable insights into various healthcare roles and discover where your passions and skills best align.
Program Highlights:
- Dates: Sunday, June 29, 2025 – Friday, July 25, 2025 (Four Weeks)
- Location: UMass Chan Medical School, Massachusetts
- Residential: Yes, on-campus accommodation provided.
- Tuition: Free – making medical career programs accessible to all eligible students.
- Target Audience: Massachusetts residents who are current sophomores and juniors in high school.
Key Dates for Application:
- Application Opens: November 15, 2024
- Application Deadline: March 3, 2025
What to Expect from this Medical Career Program:
The HSHCP is meticulously structured to provide you with both academic enrichment and practical experience, crucial elements for anyone considering medical career programs. The curriculum is designed to boost your academic foundation while also honing essential skills necessary for success in any healthcare field.
- Academic Enrichment: Strengthen your knowledge in core subjects like Science/Biology, Mathematics, and Language Arts. These classes are specifically tailored to prepare you for the rigor of medical career programs and future college studies.
- Skill Development: Enhance your communication, study, and time management skills. These are vital for academic success and professional growth in any of the medical career programs you might pursue.
- Information Technology: Develop crucial IT skills, an increasingly important aspect of modern healthcare and biomedical research environments.
- Cultural and Contemporary Health Issues Seminars: Engage in thought-provoking discussions on relevant health topics, broadening your understanding of the societal context of healthcare and various medical career programs.
- Internship Opportunities: Gain firsthand experience through internships that allow you to interact directly with physicians, researchers, and other healthcare professionals. This invaluable experience provides a realistic glimpse into different medical career programs and helps you make informed decisions about your future.
- Health Disparities Research Project: Participate in a research project focused on health disparities within cultural groups in Massachusetts. This project encourages critical thinking and addresses important social determinants of health relevant to many medical career programs.
- Field Trips: Reinforce your science curriculum with exciting and educational field trips, bringing classroom learning to life and further exploring aspects of medical career programs in real-world settings.
Program Goals and Outcomes:
The HSHCP program is rooted in a long-standing commitment to diversifying the healthcare workforce. Initiated in the 1970s, it aims to encourage students from disadvantaged backgrounds to explore medical career programs and enter the fields of Biomedical Research, Biotechnology, and Health Professions.
The program’s core objectives are to:
- Inspire and Motivate: Ignite your passion for medical career programs and the healthcare field.
- Improve Academic Skills: Equip you with the necessary academic skills to excel in high school, college, and future medical career programs.
- Enhance Essential Skills: Develop critical study, communication, and time management skills that are transferable to any medical career program and professional setting.
- Promote Higher Education: Encourage you to graduate high school and pursue higher education, especially in fields related to medical career programs.
- Prepare for College: Provide a strong foundation for college-level studies and future success in competitive medical career programs.
The success of the HSHCP is evident in its impressive outcomes. Over 500 past participants have been tracked, and the data shows encouraging results:
- High School Completion: A significant majority successfully graduate from high school.
- Post-Secondary Education: Many enroll in and complete post-secondary certificate programs, two-year and four-year colleges.
- Professional Schools: A notable number pursue advanced degrees in professional schools related to medical career programs.
- Healthcare Employment: Many alumni are now employed in Biomedical Research, Biotechnology, and Health Professions, contributing to the healthcare workforce and demonstrating the impact of this program on fostering future medical career programs.
If you are a motivated high school sophomore or junior in Massachusetts and envision yourself in a medical career program, the High School Health Careers Program at UMass Chan Medical School is an exceptional opportunity. This program can be your first step towards a fulfilling and impactful career in healthcare. Don’t miss the chance to explore your potential and apply by March 3, 2025!
