Exploring the medical field through summer programs can be a great experience for high school students. These programs offer a blend of academic learning and hands-on practice, allowing you to engage with the subject beyond the classroom and build advanced skills in the field! 

As a participant, you will gain a deeper understanding of healthcare professions and develop critical skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and empathy, which are essential in the medical field. Early exposure to the medical field can enhance your college applications, showcasing your commitment, initiative, and genuine interest in pursuing a healthcare career.

For high school students in Georgia looking to explore medicine, we’ve compiled a list of 8 exceptional medical summer programs. Each program offers an opportunity to explore the facets of healthcare, providing a solid foundation for those aspiring to make a difference in medicine. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a prestigious online research opportunity designed for high-achieving high school students interested in conducting original research.  In our flagship program, we pair talented high-school students with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1. This experience culminates in the production of an independent research project, offering a rare opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge scholarship while still in high school. 

Participants gain valuable insights into advanced research methodologies, sharpen their critical thinking skills, and tackle complex issues under expert guidance. Whether your interests lie in AI, biomedical engineering, or political science, the program equips you with the skills needed to excel in both college applications and future academic pursuits. You can apply here!

Location: Virtual

Cost: Need-based scholarship available.

• Lumiere Individual Research Program – $2,990

• Lumiere Premium Research and Publication Program – $5,900

• Lumiere Research Fellowship – $8,900

Application Deadline: Rolling, cohort-based. Applications for the summer cohort are open till May. 

Program Dates: Varies based on the cohort. June for the summer cohort.

Eligibility: High school students

2. Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center - Mercer Medical Camp

The Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center at Mercer University offers a week-long virtual medical camp that covers pertinent health topics. Led by doctors, scientists, and medical students from Mercer University School of Medicine, this camp is designed to be educational and interactive. Each day includes a teaching session followed by an activity, with all necessary supplies, including games and experiments. This camp is an excellent opportunity for students to learn from medical professionals. The camp is limited to 100 participants, ensuring a focused experience.

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Program Dates: July 15 - 19

Application Deadline: TBA.

Eligibility: Georgia high school students

3. Veritas Deep Dive - AI + Medicine Program

Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs geared toward high school students who want to build their foundations in computer science and AI. The AI + Medicine Deep Dive is an intensive 10-week program tailored for driven students keen on exploring the intersection of AI and medicine. Participants will interact with AI specialists, attend lectures, work with programming notebooks, and undertake a practical project focused on AI's role in healthcare and medicine.

This course offers a deep exploration of how AI is revolutionizing the medical field. You'll engage in projects that leverage AI and machine learning models to diagnose diseases, enhance medical imaging, and interpret results to support healthcare professionals and patients. The curriculum is crafted to provide insights into AI applications across various domains such as genomics, hospital management, drug development, neuroscience, and more. You can apply here!

Location: Virtual

Cost: $2,290. Need-based financial aid is available. 

Application Deadline: Varies based on the cohort. May for the summer cohort.

Program Dates: Summer dates to be decided. The duration of the program is 25 hours over 10 weeks.

Eligibility: High school students in grades 8-12. Completion of AI Scholars or a background in coding is required.

4. Grady Memorial Hospital - Teen Experience and Leadership Program

Grady’s Teen Experience and Leadership Program (TELP), sponsored by the Office of Health Equity, offers high school students aged 14-19 an opportunity to gain firsthand experience in the healthcare field. You will shadow professionals in the hospital during 4-hour shifts, with a minimum commitment of one shift every two weeks. The program allows you to earn volunteer hours by working in a healthcare system, gain exposure to various health professions, and develop leadership skills. Additionally, TELP aims to strengthen community partnerships and build a healthcare workforce pipeline.

Location: Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, GA

Cost: Free

Program Dates: June - July each year

Application Deadline: Information on applications will be updated here.

Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 14-19.

5. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) - Georgia Opportunities Academy

The PCOM Georgia Opportunities Academy offers Gwinnett County high school students the chance to explore healthcare careers and connect with mentors through a free summer STEM camp. This program is aimed at students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds in medicine. You will engage in clinical skills simulations, anatomy labs, and CPR training while gaining insights into the college application process. The program helps you understand the steps needed to pursue a career in healthcare. Additionally, the curriculum covers nutrition, heart and brain anatomy, and trauma simulation. You will have the chance to shadow healthcare professionals and explore careers such as physicians and physician assistants. 

Location: PCOM Georgia, Suwanee, GA

Cost: Free

Program Dates: June of each year

Application Deadline: Applications are due in April of each year.

Eligibility: Gwinnett County high school students 

6. SGMC Health - Volunteen Summer Program

SGMC Health's annual Volunteen Summer Program allows high school students to explore the daily operations of a healthcare environment while gaining volunteer experience. You will be placed in a specific department to observe patient-centered care and essential administrative support roles. The program runs from June to July each year, with students working two four-hour shifts per week. This experience provides a deeper understanding of healthcare. Additionally, the volunteer hours earned through this program can be beneficial for future academic and career opportunities. 

Location: Various SGMC Health campuses in Georgia 

Cost: Free

Program Dates: June 10 – July 26

Application Deadline: May each year.

Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th graders with a B or higher GPA.

7. Emergency Medicine at Georgia Tech

The Emergency Medicine program at Georgia Tech offers a hands-on experience in the medical and healthcare fields. This two-week program covers everything from emergency medicine to the medical school admissions process. In the first week, you will learn essential skills such as taking vital signs, performing CPR, and mastering wilderness medicine techniques. You will also visit a simulation lab where medical students and faculty are trained and evaluated. The second week challenges you to apply these skills in a mass casualty incident simulation, where you must triage and stabilize victims. Simulations provide practice in wound care, bleeding control, suturing, and the use of splints and slings. Working in small groups, you will research patient histories, analyze symptoms, make diagnoses, and develop treatment plans.

Location: Georgia Tech University, Atlanta, GA

Cost: Residential: $5,498 tuition | Commuter: $3,198 tuition + $250 medicine course supplement

Program Dates: June 16 -  June 28

Application Deadline: Dates will be released by September.

Eligibility: High school students 

8. Emory Pre-College Program - Pre-Health and Sciences

The Emory Pre-College Program is a two-week summer academic experience for high school sophomores and juniors. It provides a preview of the academic rigor and campus life at a prestigious national university. The program offers a range of courses in Pre-Health and STEM/Sciences, including Concepts in Biology, Human Genetic Diseases, Human Physiology, Medical Microbiology, Neuroscience, and many more. Beyond the academic rigor, you will experience campus life at Emory University, interacting with peers from across the country and gaining insights into the college application process. The program is designed to help you explore your academic interests while developing the skills and confidence needed for future success in higher education. 

Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA or virtual

Cost: Need-based scholarships available. Residential: $4,803 | Commuter: $3,435 | Online: $3,135

Program Dates: Session A: June 16 - June 29 | Session B: June 30 - July 13 | Session C: July 14 - July 27 (On Campus) | Session C: July 15 - July 26 (Online)

Application Deadline: Sign up here to receive the latest announcements.

Eligibility: High school students 

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.