15 Medical Programs for High School Students in Tucson, AZ
- Stephen Turban
- Apr 14
- 9 min read
If you’re a high school student exploring healthcare as a possible major or career, you’re likely weighing more than just subject interest. Medicine involves responsibility, teamwork, and long-term commitment. Medical programs offer a structured way to examine that reality before you invest years into formal training.
In a structured medical program, you will see how a patient case is discussed, how lab results inform next steps, and how different professionals contribute to care. You might attend workshops, interact with healthcare providers, or explore public health challenges affecting your community. You begin to understand the pace of a medical environment and the level of precision it demands.
What medical programs are available for high schoolers in Tucson, Arizona?
Tucson offers local access to hospitals, research initiatives, and community-based health programs designed for high school students. That proximity allows you to gain exposure without relocating, while also seeing how medicine operates within your own region. Joining a local program can also be a financially practical choice, as you do not have to factor in travel expenses, flights, or temporary housing costs that often come with out-of-state summer programs.
These programs can also tangibly strengthen your college applications. Admissions committees often look for sustained interest backed by action. Participating in a medical program gives you concrete experiences to reference in personal statements and interviews.
With that, here is a curated list of 15 medical programs available to high school students in Tucson, Arizona!
15 Medical Programs for High School Students in Tucson, AZ
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
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, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost: Free
Dates: June 1 – July 17
Application Deadline: December 18
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old at the start of the internship and have at least one year of Arizona residency
The University of Arizona’s KEYS Research Internship places you inside active research labs at the BIO5 Institute. You begin with training in biotechnology methods, data analysis, and research ethics. After that, you are matched with a university researcher and join an ongoing scientific project. Work may involve biomedical engineering, bioscience, or health-related research. You collect data, analyse results, and present your findings at a formal research event. The structure reflects how academic medical research operates.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by the program. Financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: High school students can apply
Veritas AI is an AI program for ambitious high school students, founded and run by Harvard graduate students. In the AI + Medicine Deep Dive, students learn how AI is used in the healthcare and medical industry. Students get a chance to work on real-world projects using AI & ML models to diagnose diseases, sharpen medical scans, and explain their outcomes to aid doctors and patients. Here is the program brochure and the application form.
Location: University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ
Cost: Free; An hourly wage is paid
Dates: June 1 – July 17
Application Deadline: Typically March 1
Eligibility: High school students from Arizona, with priority given to students from disadvantaged, rural, or underrepresented backgrounds
The Summer Institute on Medical Ignorance (SIMI) is a seven-week research program that places you in biomedical and clinical research labs at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson. You will work alongside faculty and graduate students on active research projects while learning to question established medical knowledge and formulate scientific inquiries. The program includes hands-on lab training, seminars with visiting scientists, and workshops on research ethics and science communication. You will also learn how to translate scientific questioning techniques into classroom learning.
Location: Banner – University Medical Center Tucson, Tucson, AZ
Cost: Free
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling; applications accepted quarterly
Eligibility: High school students age 16 and older who can commit to at least 2 hours per week for 6 months
The Banner – University Medical Center Tucson Junior Volunteer Program offers you firsthand experience in a hospital setting, exposing you to the daily operations of a major academic medical center. You will be placed in departments such as patient services, information desks, or administrative support roles, where you will interact with patients, families, and healthcare professionals. The program requires proof of current immunizations and completion of an orientation process. Through volunteering, you will gain insight into healthcare careers, develop professional communication skills, and build a foundation for future medical education. Volunteer experiences include escorting patients, clerical support, and assisting with wayfinding.
Location: University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson campus events available; Phoenix campus (virtual or hybrid options)
Cost: Free
Dates: Monthly Saturday sessions during the academic year
Application Deadline: Two weeks before each session
Eligibility: High school students interested in becoming physicians
Saturday Scrubs is a monthly lecture and activity series designed for high school students interested in pursuing careers in medicine. Each session is led by College of Medicine faculty, staff, or medical students and includes hands-on exposure to various healthcare fields. Past activities have included pig heart dissection, vitals and blood pressure demonstrations, ethics lectures, CPR certification training, suturing practice, and intubation workshops. While based at the Phoenix campus, Tucson-area students can participate in virtual sessions or travel to Phoenix for in-person events. The program helps you explore the medical profession while building skills and connections with healthcare professionals.
Location: Carondelet St. Mary's Hospital, Tucson, AZ
Cost: Free
Dates: Year-round; flexible scheduling
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students age 15 and older
The Carondelet St. Mary's Hospital High School Volunteer Program allows you to contribute to patient care while exploring healthcare careers. You may serve in roles such as Gift Shop staff, Information Desk volunteer, patient escort, or shuttle driver. The program provides exposure to hospital operations and patient interaction in a faith-based healthcare setting. You will develop customer service skills, learn hospital protocols, and gain valuable experience that supports future applications to healthcare programs.
Location: Pima County Youth One-Stop Service Center; youth are placed in paid intern positions across Pima County in public service offices, parks, libraries, hospitals, nonprofits, and other workplaces.
Cost: No cost. A stipend of $16.54/hour is paid
Dates: June 1 to June 26; July 6 to July 31
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Youth ages 14–21, permanent Pima County residents
The Pima County Summer Youth Employment Program places you in paid work roles across public offices, hospitals, and nonprofit organisations. You gain direct exposure to workplace routines and professional expectations. Training sessions cover communication, financial literacy, and time management. Depending on placement, you may observe healthcare settings or support community service roles. The programme combines real work hours with structured skill development. You leave with practical experience and employer references.
Location: Tucson, AZ (Summer) + Year-Round locations
Cost: Free (Transportation to Tucson excluded)
Dates: June 7 – 13 (Summer Phase)
Application Deadline: Priority: March 13; Rolling after that
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are enrolled members or Descendants of AI/AN or Native Hawaiian Tribe, and completing Physics, Chemistry, & Pre-Calculus with a “C” or better
The Native American Science & Engineering Program at the University of Arizona introduces you to science and health-related fields through campus-based workshops. You participate in lab visits and applied STEM activities. Faculty and mentors guide discussions about scientific study and research pathways. The programme helps you understand what university-level science learning involves. Continued mentorship after the summer supports college preparation and academic planning.
Location: Based in the Tucson area. Volunteer roles take place at SARSEF offices and different event locations. Major events, such as the SARSEF Fair, are usually held at the University of Arizona (UArizona) campus or other large venues in Tucson.
Cost: None
Dates: Year-round (specific events in Mar, Apr, Jul, Nov)
Application Deadline: Open Enrollment / Event-specific
Eligibility: Current high school students aged 16 years
The SARSEF Volunteer Program for high school students focuses on promoting STEM learning and supporting the Southern Arizona Science and Engineering Fair. As a volunteer, you will help with fair activities such as event setup, registration, and logistics. You may also serve as a Science Ambassador, leading hands-on science activities at community events. Through the program, you interact with scientists, judges, and educators, which helps you better understand how scientific research works. You will build important skills like public speaking, communication, teamwork, and event coordination in a professional STEM environment.
Location: Humane Society of Southern Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost: $100; scholarships available
Dates: One-year commitment; Orientation in March/May
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: High school students between 13 and 18
The Hand in Paw Youth Internship (HIP) is designed for high school students who care about animal welfare and enjoy working with younger children. As an intern, you will commit to at least three events or shifts per semester with the HSSA Education Department over one year. You will help with educational programs such as summer camps and Kids Club events, assist with shelter tours, guide children through activities and crafts, and support basic office tasks. You will also help with event tabling, welcome visitors during shelter tours, and stock supplies.
Location: University of Arizona Health Sciences, Tucson, AZ
Cost: $6,000; Scholarship available
Dates: June to mid-July
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Arizona high school students in the 11th grade interested in pursuing a career in the health sciences.
The University of Arizona’s Med‑Start Health Careers Program is a six-week summer program for high school students interested in health and medicine. You will live on campus and will take college-level courses in English, math, and chemistry, while also participating in labs, lectures, and visits to healthcare and research facilities. The program will help you prepare for college through workshops on resumes, personal statements, time management, and financial literacy. You will be expected to fully engage in all classes, projects, field trips, and community activities throughout the program.
Location: Banner UMC South Campus (in the hospital and surrounding locations) or University of Arizona campus/Banner Tucson Campus and surrounding locations in Tucson, AZ
Cost: No cost
Dates: Year-long program; dates not specified
Application deadline: Fall semester; Interviews in mid-November
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have completed at least 9th grade, are under 22, and reside in Pima County, Nogales, Rio Rico, or Mammoth-San Manuel
Project SEARCH in Tucson is a year-long workplace internship for youth with developmental disabilities. You rotate through different job placements within the hospital and campus environments. Work areas may include food service, logistics, or facilities operations. The structure focuses on skill development and workplace independence. You learn how to interact with supervisors and coworkers in professional settings. Ongoing mentoring supports transition into employment.
Location: University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson
Cost: No cost; federal minimum hourly wage is paid
Dates: Early June-Mid July
Application deadline: Varies (Historically late January)
Eligibility: Juniors/Seniors preferred, 3.0 GPA, US Citizen/PR, SSN required
The Disadvantaged High School Student Summer Research Program at the University of Arizona offers high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds a hands-on summer experience in biomedical and health research. You will work full-time in research labs at the College of Medicine, will be mentored by faculty and graduate students, and will gain practical skills in laboratory techniques, scientific thinking, and professional collaboration. The program will also include seminars, workshops, and opportunities to interact with peers and mentors, helping you explore careers in medicine and research. Participants will be paid at least the federal minimum wage, giving you both valuable experience and financial support during the summer.
Location: Tucson Medical Center, Tucson, AZ
Cost: Free
Dates: Year-round; summer sessions available
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students age 16 and older
The TMC Health High School Volunteer Program places you in hospital settings where you will support patient care and hospital operations. You may assist clinical staff in units such as Pediatrics, Labor & Delivery, ICU, and Surgery lobbies, or help with clerical duties, gift shop operations, and wayfinding. The program provides meaningful exposure to healthcare environments and helps you understand hospital operations from the inside. You will develop communication skills, professionalism, and an understanding of patient care while earning volunteer hours that support college and career applications. TMC Health requires a minimum commitment of 100 hours over 6 months.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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