14 Medical Programs for High School Students in Kentucky
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 8 min read
If you’re a high school student interested in medicine, structured programs can provide an early look at how healthcare and biomedical research function beyond classroom biology. Many opportunities include shadowing healthcare professionals, participating in simulation labs, assisting with research projects, or attending workshops led by physicians and scientists. Experiences like these help you understand different aspects of medicine, from clinical care and hospital workflows to laboratory research and public health, while developing skills in observation, communication, and scientific thinking.
What medical programs are available for high schoolers in Kentucky?
Kentucky offers a number of medical learning opportunities through universities, cancer research centers, and regional healthcare systems. Programs organized by institutions such as the University of Kentucky and other medical groups often include mentorship, practical experience, and opportunities to observe clinical or research environments. These programs can help you explore different areas of healthcare while connecting with professionals and peers who share similar interests.
We have put together a list of 14 medical programs for high school students in Kentucky.
If you’re looking for summer programs in Kentucky, check out our blog here.
Location: University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY
Stipend: $2,500
Acceptance rate: At least 6 students
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: April 5
Eligibility: High school students (16+ years) with advanced biology/chemistry courses
Summer Research Training Fellowship opportunities at the UK College of Medicine Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics allow high school students to contribute to active research projects. Under faculty supervision, students assist with laboratory procedures, data collection, and analysis while also learning how to apply classroom concepts to research projects. Usually, students can conduct independent experiments by the end of the fellowship. Additionally, they are expected to deliver a brief oral presentation on their research to department members at the end of the summer.
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, or spring; Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
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 psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Norton Healthcare facilities, Louisville, KY
Stipend: Paid Hourly
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: Fall and Spring Semesters
Application Deadline: Typically in the spring of Junior year
Eligibility: High school seniors who are 17 or older (18 by July 1)
Norton Healthcare’s High School Academy offers seniors the opportunity to work as student employees within a healthcare system. After completing the requisite training and orientation, participants serve in roles such as patient care associates or pharmacy support staff, gaining experience within clinical units. Students learn how electronic medical records function, observe patient interactions, and support healthcare teams under supervision. The academy also incorporates job shadowing, career coaching, and workforce development sessions to help students explore long-term career paths.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program format (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate: Selective; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: Multiple cohorts around the year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students with prior Python experience or completion of the AI Scholars program
Veritas AI’s AI + Medicine program introduces high school students to real-world applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Participants work with machine learning models and AI-driven tools used in medical research, diagnostics, and imaging analysis. The curriculum emphasizes practical problem-solving, allowing students to explore how technology supports disease detection and clinical decision-making. Students acquire practical experience while enhancing technical skills applicable to both medicine and computer science. The program aims to support those interested in healthcare careers by fostering a solid foundational skill set.
Location: Lexington Health (Lexington & Richland County), KY
Stipend: Scholarship opportunity (~$1,000 upon graduation eligibility)
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Session A: June 5 – 26 | Session B: July 10 – 31
Application Deadline: February 13
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who live in or attend school in
Lexington or Richland County with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
The Lexington Medical Center High School Partners Program is a three-week summer internship providing students with an inside view of hospital operations. Participants rotate through three departments, observing areas such as nursing, radiologic technology, surgical services, physical therapy, and healthcare administration. The program features workshops and guided discussions that enhance students' understanding of modern healthcare systems. During the experience, participants interact with hospital staff and peers with similar career goals. Those who complete the entire session qualify for a $1,000 scholarship to assist with their future education.
Location: Northern Kentucky, coordinated through St. Elizabeth Healthcare and regional partners in Kentucky
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – 17
Application Deadline: April 3
Eligibility: High school students at least 16 years old
The M.O.O.N. Program offers a detailed look into the daily routines of physicians and Advanced Practice Providers (APPs), including physician assistants and nurse practitioners. The curriculum focuses specifically on Emergency and Perioperative (surgical) services. You can take part in multiple shadowing sessions, observing robotic-assisted surgeries in the OR and clinical workflows in both inpatient and outpatient settings. A key part of the week is the Simulation and Skills Lab, where students practice medical scenarios in a controlled environment through exercises. The week wraps up with a healthcare provider panel Q&A and a graduation ceremony.
Location: Takes place in multiple locations in local Hospitals like Hardin County, Warren County, and Russell County
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate: Varies by county
Dates: Various sessions throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by county
Eligibility: High school students with a preference for sophomores and juniors
Health Career Explorers, coordinated through Western Kentucky University’s Area Health Education Center (AHEC), provides high school students with ongoing exposure to healthcare careers throughout the academic year. At participating centres such as The Medical Center, Bowling Green, and Russell County Hospital, students participate in demonstrations and group discussions and are exposed to clinical environments. They also have the opportunity to explore different departments and engage in in-person interaction with healthcare professionals.
Location: University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center, Lexington, KY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: June 8 – 12
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Appalachian Kentucky high school students
The Markey Cancer Center’s Appalachian Career Training in Oncology (ACTION) Program provides University of Kentucky students with opportunities to gain experiences in cancer research, clinical work, outreach, and education, enhancing their interest in biomedical careers. Participants receive mentorship from both research scientists and clinical faculty while learning about cancer prevention, treatment, and disparities in rural communities. In addition to research exposure, ACTION emphasizes leadership development and community education efforts. By connecting scientific training with regional healthcare needs, the program prepares students to address cancer challenges in underserved areas.
Location: Northeast Kentucky Area Health Education Center service region
Stipend: Stipend provided upon completion
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: January – August
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school students or undergraduates in the NE Kentucky AHEC 17-county region with a minimum 3.0 GPA
The PAVE (Pathways by AHECs using VR Education) program uses virtual reality to train students in healthcare scenarios during a one-week in-person learning period. Participants attend informational webinars, workforce training, and monthly in-person meetings, culminating in VR simulations and exposure to the healthcare world. Students complete a VR-enhanced curriculum and receive a stipend by the end of the program, along with networking opportunities with medical professionals.
Location: Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) - Richmond & partnering hospitals
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: June 17, 23, and 25
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Current high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors from targeted regions of Kentucky
The HEAT program introduces high school students to healthcare careers through three focused summer immersion days. Two days are dedicated to visiting clinical sites, allowing students to meet healthcare professionals and observe medical environments firsthand. The third day takes place on EKU’s campus, where participants engage in simulation exercises and interactive workshops across various medical fields. Through collaborations with local healthcare facilities and shadowing opportunities, the program provides students with a clearer understanding of what working in medicine truly involves. These experiences can help prepare students for post-secondary healthcare education.
Location: Western Kentucky University AHEC regions, like Russell or Meade County
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: Coordinated through partner schools
Application Deadline: Coordinated through partner schools
Eligibility: Coordinated through partner schools
Future Healthcare Professionals familiarizes high school students with various health careers by exploring anatomy and physiology through workshops, field trips, and interactive sessions with healthcare professionals. As a participant, you will practice skills such as measuring vitals, performing basic CPR, suturing techniques, and participating in surgical simulations. Many sessions are conveniently held at accessible community venues, including public libraries, making it easier for local students to participate. Instead of just hearing about healthcare careers, students get hands-on experience with fundamental skills and develop a better understanding of the different roles in medicine.
Location: University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare, Lexington
Cost / Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: August to May, year long program
Application deadline: Coordinated through partner schools
Eligibility: Students enrolled at designated partner schools.
The University of Kentucky Careers in Health Care Internship Program (UK CHIP) offers high school students a structured, year-long experience at one of the state’s leading academic medical centers. The program offers students opportunities to explore fields like nursing, pharmacy, radiology, anesthesiology, and physical therapy through guided clinical observations and educational sessions. Participants interact directly with healthcare professionals and observe how interdisciplinary teams work together in medical and healthcare settings. Students also participate in structured discussions and activities designed to build their confidence and curiosity about medical fields.
Location: Lexington, KY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: Year-round, multi-year mentorship program
Application Deadline: September 20
Eligibility: 9th graders at Bryan Station High School
The Discovery Healthcare Program gives Kentucky high school students a meaningful introduction to careers in medicine and allied health. Through mentorship, panel discussions with guest speakers, and visits to UK campuses, students gain firsthand experience of healthcare careers. The program offers workshops on college prep, ACT/SAT prep, and resume building, boosting their confidence for future academic pursuits. As they progress, students may shadow healthcare professionals and observe clinical settings directly. Many also engage in summer volunteering and health workshops to enrich their understanding. Because the program runs throughout the academic year, students build relationships with mentors and peers while steadily developing professional skills.
Location: Virtual
Stipend: $500
Acceptance rate: ~20 students selected
Dates: July 13 – 24
Application Deadline: March 27
Eligibility: Current sophomores, juniors, or seniors from a Kentucky high school
The Markey Cancer Center’s Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology program aims to increase cancer workforce capacity by emphasizing individuals who are underrepresented in the research and clinical workforce. Throughout this structured summer program, participants will join interactive sessions hosted by oncology researchers, doctors, and healthcare experts. Students can explore areas like cancer research, prevention methods, treatment advances, and healthcare disparities, helping them grasp the breadth of the Oncology field. The program includes two weeks of online activities featuring specialists and activity coordinators from various cancer-related disciplines.
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.
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