15 Medical Programs for High School Students in Iowa City, IA
- Stephen Turban
- 3 hours ago
- 11 min read
If you're a high school student interested in a career in medicine, participating in a medical program offers a practical way to explore healthcare careers. These programs offer college-level academics, clinical experience, and access to healthcare professionals, providing opportunities that extend beyond traditional classroom learning. You’ll gain skills in patient communication, clinical research, and medical terminology while building connections with mentors and peers. Participating in a structured program will help you understand what healthcare work involves, whether it’s conducting lab research, shadowing physicians, or engaging with public health initiatives.
What medical programs are available for high schoolers in Iowa City, Iowa?
Iowa City, home to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, one of the nation's leading academic medical centers, offers exceptional opportunities for aspiring healthcare professionals. Programs include hospital-based research internships with university faculty, clinical shadowing across specialties like emergency medicine and surgery, public health initiatives focused on community wellness, and laboratory research in fields from genetics to neuroscience. You might assist with patient education, contribute to medical research data analysis, participate in health outreach serving local communities, or observe surgical procedures and clinical decision-making. These programs provide mentorship from healthcare professionals, access to advanced medical facilities, and chances to participate in ongoing projects.
Below is a list of 15 medical programs for high school students in Iowa City, Iowa. We've narrowed down our list to highlight rigorous medical programs that offer solid networking opportunities, are hosted by prestigious organizations like the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and have low acceptance rates.
Location: Virtual (online, 1-on-1 mentorship)
Cost: Varies based on the program; financial aid is provided
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Depends on the cohort opted for
Eligibility: High school students interested in conducting independent research in medicine and health sciences.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a research opportunity founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers that pairs you with a PhD mentor from a top university to produce an independent research project in medicine or health sciences. Over 12 weeks in the Individual Research Program (or longer in other program tracks), you'll work closely with your PhD mentor to explore a medical topic of your choice, develop a research question, write a research paper, and present your findings at a graduation symposium. The program follows a structured timeline: you'll spend the first week aligning on your topic with your mentor, weeks 2-4 exploring the topic and identifying your research question, weeks 5-9 writing your research paper with ongoing support, and weeks 10-12 making final edits and submitting for evaluation. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: Virtual, hosted by Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Cost: Free; $500 stipend provided
Program Dates: Weekdays, July 21 – August
Application Deadline: Check website for latest updates
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors; Iowa residents; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The American Cancer Society Cancer Research High School Program is a two-week virtual internship that connects you with students across the Midwest to explore cancer science and clinical care. This program is designed specifically to foster interest in health-related careers, particularly for students in Iowa and rural areas who may have limited access to in-person research opportunities. You'll collaborate with peers from top cancer centers, including Mayo Clinic, Medical College of Wisconsin, University of Minnesota, and University of Wisconsin-Madison, on a genetics-based research project and a patient case study. You'll also participate in faculty lectures, panel discussions, and skill-building workshops that help build knowledge and connections for your biomedical career pathway. The program provides lab kits for experiments, so you'll get hands-on experience even though it's virtual. With only 20 spots available through the University of Iowa, this selective program offers meaningful mentorship from cancer researchers and a network of peers.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies according to program; full financial aid is available
Program Dates: 10 weeks
Application Deadline: Check website for latest updates
Eligibility: Students in grades 8-12
Veritas AI Deep Dive: AI + Medicine is a specialized 10-week online program that explores how artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare and the medical industry. If you're interested in the intersection of technology and medicine, this program gives you hands-on experience building real-world AI projects that address healthcare challenges. You'll receive an introduction to AI and medicine, learning the foundational concepts that connect these two fields, and delve into key topics including medical data preparation, exploratory data analysis (EDA), and Convolutional Neural Networks. You'll also explore advanced topics like image segmentation, regularization, transfer learning techniques, and fundamentals of clinical evaluation. Throughout the program, you'll work in small groups of 3-5 students to complete a collaborative project, applying what you've learned to build an AI solution for a real medical problem. By the end of the program, you'll have both technical knowledge in AI and medicine, plus a tangible project demonstrating your ability to apply these skills to healthcare challenges. Here is the program brochure and the application form.
Location: University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, IA | Virtual options available
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Minimum 4 weeks' notice required
Eligibility: High school students
University of Iowa Health Care STEM Education offers flexible, interactive experiences designed to help you explore healthcare careers through hands-on learning. You'll participate in activities like examining X-rays, casting fingers, looking at human organs, and talking with healthcare professionals to explore various STEM careers. The Career Exploration experience takes you on tours through different areas of UI Health Care, helping you discover which healthcare career might be the best fit. You can also expect faculty, staff, or medical students to visit your classroom to discuss their professions, and lead medical-related STEM activities or serve as exhibitors at fairs and festivals with hands-on healthcare stations. The program also offers virtual options, including 30-minute live Zoom sessions with UI Health Care faculty and medical students, or asynchronous career videos you can watch on your own time.
Location: University of Iowa campus, Iowa City, IA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: February 23
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: High school students in Iowa and surrounding areas who have conducted original research
The High School Research Symposium is a one-day research competition hosted by the Belin-Blank Center at the University of Iowa that celebrates original research conducted by high school students. If you've completed an independent research project and want to showcase your work to university faculty and peers, this symposium gives you the platform to present your findings and compete for scholarships. The symposium includes lab tours of University of Iowa facilities, oral presentations where top finishers can earn UI scholarships up to $3,000, a poster fair with additional scholarship opportunities, and lunch with fellow student researchers. While not a traditional research opportunity or program, this is an excellent opportunity to receive feedback on your research from university-level experts, explore the University of Iowa campus, and network with other high school researchers who share your passion for scientific inquiry.
Location: University of Iowa campus, Iowa City, IA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: April 17
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school students in Iowa
DesignDash Iowa City is a one-day startup event where you'll team up with other high school students to build a business in a single day with mentorship from community partners and Iowa educators. During the event, you'll work collaboratively to identify problems, develop solutions, and pitch your startup ideas. This hands-on experience is a great option for entrepreneurial-minded students, problem solvers, tech enthusiasts, designers, and anyone interested in innovation at the intersection of healthcare and business. You'll receive mentorship from professionals in the medical and startup communities, giving you real-world insights into how healthcare innovations are developed and brought to market. While not strictly a program, this is an excellent opportunity to explore how medicine and entrepreneurship intersect while building teamwork and innovation skills.
Location: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Cost: $7,500
Program Dates: June 17 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-11
The Secondary Student Training Program (SSTP) is a highly selective summer research program that gives you the chance to work alongside world-class faculty at a research-intensive university. Throughout the program, you'll conduct research in your chosen department, working with faculty mentors and research teams. SSTP offers research opportunities across a wide range of fields, including biomedical areas like Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Neuroscience & Pharmacology, Pathology, and Psychiatry, making it a valuable choice if you're interested in medical or health sciences careers. You'll also participate in classes and events designed to develop your skills as a researcher and scholar. At the end of the program, you'll complete a research project with your group and create a poster presentation to showcase your findings. Beyond the research experience itself, SSTP helps you explore your academic interests, build meaningful friendships with intellectual peers from across the country, and gain experience that strengthens your college applications.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,400 fee. Financial aid available for eligible students.
Program Dates: Session A: June 15 – June 26 | Session B: July 6 – July 17
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: High school students; must be residing in the United States for the full program duration; must be over age 14 by program start
The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship is a two-week virtual program designed to give you hands-on experience working on real AI research projects under the guidance of Stanford researchers. Throughout the program, you'll participate in introductory and technical lectures on AI in healthcare fundamentals, engage in mentoring activities with Stanford student leads and researchers, and work in teams on research projects. The program also includes "Meet the Expert" sessions with guest speakers from academia, industry, nonprofits, and government, giving you insight into diverse career paths in AI and medicine. Social activities are built into the schedule to help you connect with peers who share your interests. With around 50 students accepted into the program, this selective opportunity gives you meaningful exposure to cutting-edge AI research in healthcare.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Not specified
Program Dates: Multiple sessions, 9 weeks
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students interested in health sciences.
The Health Science Immersion Program explores the academic, research, and professional aspects of the health sciences field. You'll attend lectures from science professors and PhD graduate students from universities including UC San Francisco, UCLA, Columbia University, and Cal State LA about their research in areas like neuroscience, human anatomy, and cancer research. You'll also learn from medical care professionals, including dentists, resident physicians, respiratory therapists, medical communications managers, and pharmacists, about their careers serving patients in different ways. The program includes a group research project where you'll explore college-level science coursework and practice active reading, critical thinking, and collaborative teamwork skills essential for success in higher-level science. Leadership workshops help you explore teamwork, communication, personality traits, and goal-setting for your education and career future.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,990 tuition
Program Dates: Rolling start dates throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students must be at least 14 years old and enrolled in a high school or secondary program
USC's Lifespan Development course is a self-paced online program that addresses real-world questions about aging and the natural progression of life through the lens of gerontology. The course is structured around five critical questions exploring gerontology through biological, psychological, and sociological approaches. You'll cover topics including demography, social policy, nutrition, dementia, caregiving, pension and financial planning, physiological changes in retirement, ageism, loneliness and social isolation, and end-of-life care. Through lecture-style content, industry interviews, expert panels, and audiovisual resources, you'll develop critical and analytical skills to distinguish between research and opinion. The course also helps you identify applications of gerontology within emerging career areas and cultivates an appreciation for evidence-based policy and research. Upon completion, you'll earn a Certificate of Completion from USC.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Check the UCLA course fees calculator
Program Dates: Check website for latest information
Application Deadline: Check the website for the latest information
Eligibility: High school students with a background in biology or chemistry
Introduction to Neuroscience Methods at UCLA provides a general overview of the field of neuroscience for high school students interested in brain science. The course includes lectures and discussion sections where you'll explore a brief history of neuroscience, basic neurophysiology and neuroanatomy, research methods, experimental design, data analysis, and careers in the field. The course is designed to give you a comprehensive foundation in how neuroscientists study the brain, from the cellular level to complex behaviors. Topics covered help you understand both the art and science of studying brain function and structure
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,895
Program Dates: Flexible - choose 1-week intensive, 2-week session, or 4-week session
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up
Medical Research: Clinical Trials Resulting in Medical Discoveries teaches you the professional methods researchers use to develop vaccines, drugs, and treatments. If you're thinking about a future in STEM, medical research, pharmaceuticals, or medical school, this course provides essential knowledge about evidence-based medicine. The course covers how clinical trials work, from formulating research questions to evaluating evidence. You'll learn the steps of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) and how to create research questions using the PICO method. Through case studies, you'll explore ethical versus unethical research practices and study the basics of biostatistics and epidemiology. The course culminates in a Capstone Project where you'll create a video presentation demonstrating the scientific method for clinical trials using 2-3 research papers on topics like cancer research, prevention, or therapy.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,725 per session. Scholarships available for qualified applicants.
Program Dates: Session 1: June 8–June 19 | Session 2: June 22–July 3
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students; high proficiency in English required
The Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Virtual Experience (CNV-X) at Stanford University is an intensive two-week virtual program that provides introductory exposure to neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology. This year’s theme is "Clinical Neuroscience for the Whole Person," featuring Stanford faculty working on cutting-edge brain research and clinical care from diverse approaches. You'll participate in seminars with Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences faculty and researchers, learning about principles of neuroscience, clinical neuropsychiatry, neuroscience research, psychiatric epidemiology, and behavioral and social sciences. The program also covers professional and career opportunities in medicine and science, plus self-care strategies relevant to young people transitioning to adulthood. You'll work in small teams of 8-10 participants, facilitated by staff mentors, to develop innovative solutions to mental health problems. Your group will create a simple prototype based on prior knowledge and new information gained during the program, then present it on the final day.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,595
Program Dates: Multiple sessions available throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up
Journey Into the Heart of Medicine is an online course from Wake Forest University designed for high school students aiming to pursue a medical profession. Taught by Wake Forest School of Medicine professors, this course gives you an insider's look at how physicians manage patient care from the moment a patient calls an ambulance through ER treatment to aftercare. Through simulations, videos, and course assignments, you'll follow a heart attack patient's journey from experiencing chest pains at home to having vitals taken by EMS to hospital admittance and recovery. The course culminates in a final Capstone project where you demonstrate what you've learned, and upon completion, you'll earn a Certificate of Completion from Wake Forest University.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Use the UCLA Summer Session fee calculator for an estimate
Program Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: Check UCLA Summer Sessions for enrollment deadlines
Eligibility: Open to high school students and students of all levels
UCLA's Integrative East-West Medicine for Health and Wellness (MED 185) is a summer course that teaches you self-care modalities to build resilience and optimize health. The course uses a hybrid online structure with 2 hours of synchronous Zoom discussions plus 3 hours of asynchronous pre-recorded lectures each week that you can watch at your own pace. You'll learn practical self-care tools to help with common symptoms like stress, fatigue, headaches, depression, anxiety, and painful periods. Beyond addressing your personal health concerns, you'll discover how integrative medicine principles can solve healthcare crises on a larger scale. Upon completion, you'll earn 5 upper-division general education units in Basic Scientific Inquiry from UCLA. This course is a good option if you're interested in exploring alternative and integrative approaches to medicine, learning practical wellness techniques you can use immediately, or considering careers in integrative healthcare.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. 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.
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