15 Medical Programs for High School Students in Kansas
- Stephen Turban
- 36 minutes ago
- 10 min read
If you are looking for a way to explore the field of medicine beyond the high school curriculum, a structured medical program can be the right next step. Medical programs immerse you in research labs, let you take part in clinical or community health experiences, and help you build real, practical skills before college. The exposure you gain can solidify your interests, introduce you to potential career paths, and help you understand what a future in medicine actually looks like.
What medical programs are available for high schoolers in Kansas?
Kansas is home to healthcare facilities, universities, and research centers that offer a range of medical programs for high school students. In Kansas, you can find a variety of structured opportunities, from health-care exploration camps to internships, that help you build technical skills and learn about the vast healthcare field. Kansas programs bring you onto medical school campuses or into professional healthcare settings where you will join or observe everyday operations, help solve real problems, and learn from experienced professionals.
To help you with your search, we have put together a list of 15 medical programs for high school students in Kansas.
If you’re looking for online research internships, check out our blog here.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective | Limited to eligible local students
Location: The University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate | $2,940 stipend provided
Dates: June 8 – July 17
Application Deadline: March 25
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors, ages 16 and up, in Wyandotte County, KS, or Jackson County, MO, with a minimum 3.0 GPA; must be eligible to work in the U.S.
The ACE Program is a six-week paid summer research experience for high school students interested in biomedical science, especially in cancer research. You will be paired with a faculty mentor and work on a biomedical research project in either a lab, clinical setting, or office, depending on your placement. The program ends with a poster forum where you will present your findings, gaining an opportunity to develop communication and scientific reasoning skills. You will gain hands-on experience in cancer-focused research while learning about career paths in science and healthcare.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Cost: Varies | Financial assistance offered
Dates: Multiple sessions, including summer, spring, fall, and winter cohorts, scheduled each year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0.
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 medicine, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective | Small cohort
Location: Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Kansas City, MO
Cost/Stipend: $2,600
Dates: June 15 – July 23
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: Current high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors from Kansas or Missouri who attend a public or charter school and are up to date on vaccinations.
The STAR 2.0 Program is a six-week, full-time summer research experience designed for students interested in medical research and science careers. You will work daily on-site at a pediatric research institute, gaining hands-on experience in the research process while learning how medicine and science intersect in real clinical settings. You will develop skills in scientific writing, data analysis, and presentation through opportunities to present findings at scientific meetings and potentially contribute to peer-reviewed publications. The program also emphasizes mentorship, pairing you with faculty, staff, and peers who guide you through both research work and career exploration.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies | Financial aid available
Dates: Multiple 10-week cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students with AI/coding experience or prior completion of the Veritas AI Scholars program
Veritas AI runs a variety of fully virtual programs focused on hands-on AI exploration. The Deep Dive: AI + Medicine is designed to introduce high schoolers to the role of artificial intelligence within healthcare and medicine. As a participant, you will spend 25 hours learning about and working on AI applications that help address a need within medicine/healthcare. The curriculum also covers topics such as neural networks and basic clinical evaluation. You will also find support from mentors to work on projects focused on the intersection of AI and medicine. You can learn about the program through its brochure and the application form.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective | Depends on applicant eligibility and program capacity
Location: University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate | Scholarship of up to $10,000 per year available for eligible students
Dates: Year-round activities
Application Deadline: Rolling admission
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors and college students; applicants must demonstrate interest in health professions and meet underserved criteria (educational or economic).
As a U-CHaMP Ambassador, you will join a long-term mentorship and advising initiative designed for students aiming to enter healthcare professions, particularly those from underserved backgrounds. The program offers structured shadowing opportunities, workshops, and group meetings with professionals and students from the KU School of Health Professions. You will learn about health disparities, explore various career paths, and get personalized guidance on preparing for college and graduate-level health programs. As a participant, you may also qualify for a scholarship to support future studies, and you will build leadership skills through community-based experiences. This initiative is ideal if you’re seeking both financial support and ongoing mentorship in health careers.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 50 students per session | Up to 150 total
Location: The University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS
Cost: Free to attend | Meals and materials included
Dates: June 17 | July 8 | July 22
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school and college students interested in nursing careers.
This one-day immersive program introduces you to nursing through hands-on skill labs, department tours, and guided instruction by practicing nurses. You will practice CPR, learn how to start an IV, explore infection prevention techniques, and gain insight into real nursing responsibilities. Each session offers exposure to specialties like trauma, neonatal care, emergency medicine, and more. You will also interact with nurses from the health system who volunteer to lead program activities.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: LMH Health, Lawrence, KS
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate | Paid internship included with stipend and support for transportation and professional attire
Dates: June 1 – July 30
Application Deadline: April 7
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; students of all backgrounds encouraged, especially underrepresented groups.
The LMH Health Leadership Academy is a two-month summer program designed to help you explore leadership in healthcare and government settings. You will connect with mentors, observe healthcare executives, and gain real-world insights into hospital operations and city governance. The program includes professional development workshops, field trips, college and career coaching, and volunteer service, with an emphasis on developing your communication and leadership skills. While you may have the opportunity to shadow medical professionals, the program focuses on the executive and administrative aspects of healthcare and public service.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective | Open only to students in Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools
Location: Kansas City, Kansas Community College & University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
Cost/Stipend: Free | Stipend awarded at program completion
Dates: Five-week program in June–July | Ends with a mid-July closing ceremony
Application Deadline: Not specified | Early application recommended
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools.
This five-week summer program is designed to immerse you in the health sciences through labs, dissections, interactive workshops, and research presentations. You will explore healthcare topics, gain exposure to medical careers, and gain hands-on STEM experience. The academy culminates in a final project presentation to the community and medical stakeholders, providing you with practical experience in communicating scientific ideas. The program also allows you to connect with healthcare professionals and like-minded peers.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by department and availability
Location: University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
Cost: Free | No stipend provided
Dates: Offered year-round | Summer placements available in May – July
Application Deadline: Rolling | 30-day lead time recommended
Eligibility: Students ages 16 and up who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients and have secured sponsors for clinical shadowing; minors need parent/guardian permission.
KEE offers observational and hands-on experiences for students interested in healthcare, clinical, or research careers. You can shadow physicians or researchers, observe clinical care environments, or gain lab experience at KU Medical Center. For clinical experiences, you will need to arrange a professional sponsor in advance, and each shadowing session is limited to one day, up to 12 hours. Research placements offer more sustained exposure, typically during the summer. This program can help you get direct insight into health careers without committing to a structured course or summer camp.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: The University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 5 – July 31 (rising high school freshman summer program) | Multiple two-week sessions in the summer (rising sophomore-to-senior program) with mandatory orientations scheduled before the summer sessions
Application Deadline: Not specified | Applications open in January
Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen to seniors.
The University of Kansas Health System’s VolunTeen Program offers high school students an up-close look at how an academic medical center functions through hands-on and support-based roles. As a high school summer volunteer, you may help with clerical tasks, assist in clinical areas, or provide patient support depending on your interests and availability. The program includes orientation, hospital training, and health screenings to prepare you for working in a professional environment. You will be matched to roles that suit your strengths and get opportunities to interact with healthcare professionals and patients throughout your experience. This can be a structured way to build service hours while gaining exposure to healthcare operations.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: The University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Year-round | Each session limited to one day (12 hours maximum)
Application Deadline: Rolling | 30-day lead time required
Eligibility: Students and community members ages 16 or older; minors require parent/guardian permission. The program prioritizes applicants with identified sponsors.
This program allows you to observe a healthcare professional for a full day and gain firsthand insight into their role and responsibilities. You will need to apply and either have a pre-arranged sponsor or wait to be matched, which may take additional time. Shadowing may take place across a wide range of departments, subject to availability and sponsor approval. While not a recurring or extended program, it can be repeated if you find new sponsors to explore different areas of interest. If you are interested in exploring specific healthcare careers, this experience offers a concise but valuable look into the daily routines and challenges of the profession.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: The University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Year-round | Each session limited to one day (12 hours maximum)
Application Deadline: Rolling | 30-day lead time required
This program runs both day and overnight camp options for students who want to explore the field of pharmacy in depth. You will spend time in real campus labs, practice non-sterile medication compounding, and engage with current pharmacy students and faculty in hands-on activities. The curriculum includes exposure to both clinical and community pharmacy settings, giving you a clearer picture of different career paths. You will also attend sessions in lecture halls and practice labs to get a taste of pharmacy education at the college level. Campers are guided through activities by KU faculty and students, offering chances to receive mentorship and gain insight into pharmacy school admissions.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective | Dependent on school partnerships and placement availability
Location: University of Kansas Health System sites across KS
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Dates: Semester-long internship aligned with the school calendar
Application Deadline: Varies | Determined by school district liaison
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, ages 16 and up, enrolled in a school with an affiliation agreement with the health system; applicants must be enrolled in academic credit courses.
The ELEVATE program is a structured, semester-long internship that lets you explore healthcare careers through observational learning and limited hands-on activities. Depending on your placement, you may shadow professionals in either a single field (Tier 1) or across multiple roles (Tier 2), gaining exposure to both clinical and administrative functions in a hospital setting. This internship is integrated with your school’s academic credit system and requires a clear understanding of HIPAA compliance on your part. It is designed to create early pathways into healthcare professions and strengthen your real-world understanding of the field. Your school must be officially partnered with the health system for you to be eligible.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20 students per week
Location: Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Cost: $450
Dates: June 7 – 12 | June 21 – 26
Application Deadline: February 13 | Applications open January 12
Eligibility: Incoming high school juniors and seniors.
The Health Professions Exploration Program is a week-long program designed to introduce you to the wide range of careers in health care and human health. You will stay on campus, participate in hands-on simulations, and meet K-State faculty, health professions advisors, and students currently pursuing health careers. Through interactive sessions, you will explore fields like public health, clinical care, and disease research. The program also offers guidance on applying to professional schools and on strengthening your future applications. This can be a focused opportunity to gain a comprehensive view of the healthcare landscape while experiencing college life.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Virtual
Cost: Summer: $95 application fee + $4,580 program fee | Fall: $75 application fee + $2,480 program fee
Dates: Summer: July 27 – August 7 | Fall: 10 weeks (dates TBA)
Application Deadline: Summer: February 9 | Fall: June 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, and undergraduate pre-med students who are at least 16 years old.
Stanford’s Clinical Summer Internship is an online hands-on learning experience for high school and undergraduate pre-med students. During the program, you will learn about clinical fields through lectures, simulations, and expert-led activity-based sessions, and explore techniques like administering injections, suturing, and conducting physical exams. You will also work on real-world clinical cases, learn to diagnose, and develop treatment plans. You will tackle medical challenges with a group of peers. The program is designed to help you explore medical specialties and build the technical skills required for careers in medicine.
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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