10 Medical Summer Programs for High School Students in San Antonio
- Stephen Turban
- Jun 13
- 6 min read
If you're a high school student in San Antonio interested in medicine, local summer programs can give you an early look at healthcare careers while building real-world skills. Many of these programs are hosted by universities, hospitals, and nonprofits across the city and focus on hands-on learning through clinical simulations, lab work, or health science workshops.
You might learn to take vitals, explore medical technology, shadow healthcare professionals, or attend lectures led by doctors and researchers. These local opportunities also connect you to San Antonio’s growing medical community, offering valuable exposure without the need to travel.
We’ve created this list of 10 medical summer programs for high school students in San Antonio, focusing on rigor, mentorship opportunities, funding availability, selectivity, and institutional reputation.
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of 3.3 or above; no previous research experience required
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts offered year-round
Cost: Starts at $2,990; need-based financial aid available
The Lumiere Medical Track is a highly selective research program for high schoolers interested in areas like epidemiology, neuroscience, and biomedical sciences. You’ll be paired with a PhD researcher for 1-on-1 virtual mentorship, allowing you to conduct an independent project over 12 to 20 weeks.
You will produce a final research paper, which can be submitted for publication. The curriculum emphasizes academic depth, analytical thinking, and personalized support. This is an excellent fit for students looking to build a strong foundation in medical research while preparing for selective college admissions.
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students with prior coding experience or completion of the Veritas AI Scholars program
Application Deadline: Cohort-based deadlines
Program Dates: Cohorts available throughout the year
Cost: $2,290
Veritas AI + Medicine offers a focused exploration of how artificial intelligence is transforming modern healthcare. You’ll engage in project-based learning that involves coding, working with real-world healthcare datasets, and understanding the use of AI in diagnostics and treatment.
By the end of the program, you will complete a collaborative capstone project tackling a medical challenge using AI, presented to PhD-level evaluators. The experience is ideal for tech-savvy students who want to merge an interest in medicine with cutting-edge computational tools.
Location: UT Health Lozano Long Campus, San Antonio, TX
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors aged 16 or older
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: July 14 – July 18
Cost: $1,000
Hosted by UT Health San Antonio, the BEAT Academy is an intensive one-week summer program focused on biomedical research and clinical science. You will participate in faculty-led seminars and lab sessions covering topics such as neurodegeneration, molecular biology, and human anatomy.
Activities include biomolecular experiments, a tour of the anatomy lab, and opportunities to interact with simulated and real patients. The program also features a dedicated college preparation workshop to guide your academic and career path in healthcare or the life sciences. This immersive experience is designed to build foundational skills and foster early engagement with medical research.
Location: UT Health San Antonio, TX
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores (current 9th graders) from the Greater San Antonio Area
Application Deadline: March 7
Program Dates: 7-week summer sessions across 3 consecutive years
Cost/Stipend: Free; includes a Voelcker Student Award
The Voelcker Biomedical Research Academy is a selective, multi-year summer research initiative that immerses San Antonio high school students in biomedical science. Beginning the summer after 9th grade, you’ll spend seven weeks each year at UT Health San Antonio conducting research, attending seminars, and developing professional skills.
Your first summer includes mentored lab work, academic enrichment, and a formal presentation of your findings. You will continue in the program for two additional summers and participate in academic-year research activities. With strict attendance expectations and a competitive application process, this free program offers a rare opportunity for long-term research engagement and early immersion in the biomedical field.
Location: Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in the San Antonio area entering grades 11 or 12 in fall
Application Deadline: February 13
Program Dates: June 23 – July 18
Cost/Stipend: Free; daily lunch included
The Valero Young Scientist Program is a free, four-week summer experience for high school students interested in biomedical and environmental research. You’ll participate in hands-on lab activities simulating real infectious disease research, while maintaining a professional-level lab notebook.
Although you will not be permitted in active research labs, you will explore research topics like genetics and environmental science through guided experiments and inquiry-based projects. You'll also engage in career panels, soft skills training sessions, and a collaborative research project presented at a culminating showcase. Mentorship from Texas Biomed scientists and structured peer interaction make this a meaningful and well-rounded introduction to the STEM field.
Location: Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older
Application Deadline: March
Program Dates: June 2 – August 8
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided; students must cover transportation, meals, and housing
This 10-week program offers advanced research experience for students interested in pediatric cancer studies. You will be trained in lab-based techniques related to genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, and molecular imaging, working closely with faculty mentors.
The focus on childhood cancer research provides a unique lens through which to understand biomedical science. Throughout the program, you will gain experience with experimental design and data analysis while exploring cutting-edge approaches to cancer treatment. The program concludes with a formal symposium where you will present your findings and hone your scientific communication skills in a professional setting.
Location: Various healthcare facilities in San Antonio, TX
Eligibility: High school students in the San Antonio area
Application Deadline: April 30
Program Dates: July 7 – 11
Cost: $200.00 with partial and full financial aid available
The Teen Medical Academy provides high school students with an immersive week-long experience in healthcare professions. You’ll participate in hands-on workshops, tour local medical facilities, and interact with professionals from various fields of medicine.
Topics may include patient care, diagnostics, and public health, offering broad exposure to the healthcare system. The program is designed to help you explore different medical careers while developing an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of healthcare workers.
Location: University Health, San Antonio, TX
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–17
Application Deadline: February 21
Program Dates: June 23 – July 3
Cost/Stipend: Free
This two-week volunteer program offers high school students a structured introduction to hospital operations and patient care. You’ll support families and patients by assisting with wayfinding, greeting, and administrative tasks while observing the daily workings of a healthcare facility.
Training is provided in hospital protocols, and you’ll gain critical soft skills such as communication, empathy, and professional etiquette. The program is designed to help you build confidence and explore the realities of working in a hospital setting. It can be a valuable stepping stone for those considering careers in healthcare or medicine.
Location: University of Texas at San Antonio, TX
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th grade students
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: June 23 – 27
Cost: $550 (day camp), $750 (overnight); financial aid available
UTSA’s Biomedical Engineering Camp provides a project-based introduction to the intersection of medicine and engineering. You’ll participate in lab-based activities, collaborative projects, and a healthcare-themed “make-a-thon” where teams design solutions to medical challenges. Through access to industry tools and instruction from faculty and professionals, you'll develop critical thinking and engineering skills. This program is tailored for students interested in both STEM and healthcare fields who wish to explore how innovation drives progress in medicine.
10. GEMS Summer Program
Location: U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, San Antonio, TX
Eligibility: U.S. citizens entering grades 6–12; high school juniors and seniors may also apply as Near-Peer Mentors
Application Deadline: May 2
Program Dates: June 16 – 20, June 23 – 26, July 7 – 10 (4-day sessions)
Cost/Stipend: Free; participants receive an educational stipend
The GEMS Summer Program introduces middle and high school students to careers in STEM and medical science through hands-on experiments and team-based learning. Hosted by the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, this four-day camp allows you to explore topics such as cardiology, surgical techniques, microbiology, DNA analysis, and biomedical engineering.
You’ll participate in lab-based experiments and activities aligned with military medical research, while building leadership and teamwork skills. There are three levels: beginner (grades 6–8), intermediate (grades 9–10), and advanced (grades 11–12), each tailored to your academic stage.
High school juniors and seniors with leadership or STEM experience can also apply as Near-Peer Mentors, helping to lead labs and engage students while gaining professional skills and a competitive stipend.
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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