15 Summer Medical Programs for High School Students in Miami
- Stephen Turban
- 4 days ago
- 9 min read
If you're a high school student in Miami interested in medicine or healthcare, summer medical programs can help you explore those fields in a more hands-on and meaningful way. Miami is home to several hospitals, universities, and research institutions that offer programs specifically designed for students like you.
These programs often include lab work, simulation activities, mentorship, and exposure to college-level coursework. They can give you a clearer understanding of careers in medicine, nursing, or public health—while helping you develop academic and practical skills.
Participating in a medical summer program also demonstrates initiative and interest in the field, which can strengthen your college applications. To help you explore your options, we’ve compiled a list of 15 summer medical programs for high school students in Miami.
Location: Remote
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Priority Cohort application deadline is March 23!
Dates: Priority Cohort starts from June 16
Eligibility: High school students, typically grades 10–12
The Horizon Academic Research Program is a research-based opportunity for high schoolers with an acceptance rate of 26%. It’s designed for students interested in exploring a subject through hands-on research. You can choose from areas like medicine, neuroscience, and public health, and conduct independent research on a topic of choice. Here, you will get access to one-on-one mentorship offered by professors and Ph.D. scholars from top-tier institutions such as Harvard, MIT, Yale, and Dartmouth. Over 12 weeks, you will conduct a scientific investigation on a healthcare-related topic and develop a full-length academic paper. You will get a certificate of completion and a grade report at the end of the program.
Location: Remote
Application deadlines: Summer Cohort II applications close on June 23
Dates: The end dates vary based on the program format. The Summer Cohort I starts on June 2, and Summer Cohort II starts on July 14.
Eligibility: High school students with a strong academic record, typically a 3.3 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
If you are a high school student eager to explore medicine through original research, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers a personalized approach. This 12-week program allows you to work on an independent research project with guidance from a Ph.D. mentor from a leading university like Harvard, MIT, or Yale. You can conduct research on topics in medicine, neuroscience, public health, life sciences, or other health-related fields. During the program, you will meet regularly with your mentor to choose a topic and develop a research paper that meets pre-college academic standards. Whether you want to explore a niche subject area or boost your college applications, the program can offer you a valuable and flexible research experience and opportunities to build data collection, interpretation, and communication skills. You can learn about the available program formats and subject areas here.
Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: No cost | A stipend of $1,200 is provided.
Application deadline: TBA
Dates: June 13 – August 8
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are 16 or older and have a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA
Florida International University’s Summer Research Internship offers high school students the opportunity to gain research experience in the field of cardiovascular health. Over eight weeks, you will collaborate with FIU faculty mentors and engage in hands-on research, data analysis, and academic discussions. Along with lab work, you will also find opportunities to work on your critical thinking, leadership, and communication skills. The program also offers access to weekly intern meetings, case study discussions, a Responsible Conduct in Research seminar, and professional and academic development sessions. At the end of the program, you will submit and present your research at an awards ceremony.
Location: University of Miami Health System, Miami, FL
Cost: None
Application deadline: April 1
Dates: June 16 – August 1 | You will have to commit a minimum of five weeks and four to six hours/day
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or older
The University of Miami Health System offers volunteering opportunities to students in the summer. As a volunteer, you will contribute to patient care and hospital operations and get practical experience working in a healthcare setting. You will assist with various tasks, including patient guidance, administrative support, and providing comfort to patients and visitors. You will also get to learn about different roles and careers in healthcare and the day-to-day operations of a well-equipped health facility. The program also offers opportunities to develop interpersonal skills and a compassionate approach to patient care.
Location: Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami, Miami, FL
Cost: None. A stipend is provided.
Application deadline: January 31
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Eligibility: Current high school juniors with the right to work in the U.S.
Hosted by the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, the JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship is an eight-week internship for high school juniors interested in exploring biological and computational sciences. Here, you will work alongside researchers, utilizing lab technologies like PCR and gel electrophoresis. The program focuses on the study of genes linked to human diseases and offers insights into diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. You will engage in a traditional wet lab internship or work on computational models to understand natural sciences. You will present your findings at a final awards event.
Location: Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Miami, FL
Cost: None. Students receive a stipend.
Application deadline: May 23
Dates: July 1 – August 2
Eligibility: Rising 10th- to 12th-grade students enrolled in Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, in collaboration with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, offers a five-week Summer Youth Internship Program to high school students. This program provides hands-on experience in a clinical setting, allowing you to work with medical professionals and gain insights into various healthcare roles. During the program, you will also participate in tasks such as assisting with patient care, observing medical procedures, and contributing to health-related projects. The program also offers opportunities to develop professional skills, including communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. You will also have access to mentorship and feedback throughout the program.
Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL
Cost: None
Application deadline: Not specified; to join the program, you need to contact your high school guidance counselor directly
Dates: June 9 – July 10
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors residing in St. Lucie County, FL
Florida International University’s Center for Translational Science offers a five-week summer internship program to high school juniors and seniors interested in biomedical research. Here, you will work in research labs focusing on areas such as neuroscience, aging, wellness, and drug discovery. You will conduct experiments, analyze data, and learn how laboratory research contributes to medical advancements. The program culminates in a presentation of research findings. You will receive a certificate of completion, a letter from the Program Director, and credit for over 100 volunteer hours on successfully completing the program.
Location: FIU Modesto Maidique Campus, Miami, FL
Cost: Free. You are responsible for your own transportation.
Application deadline: May 26
Dates: June 23 – 27
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA
The Junior Doctors of Tomorrow (JDOT) is a week-long summer program hosted by Florida International University's Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. Designed for high school juniors and seniors, the program offers hands-on clinical workshops, interactive learning sessions, and mentorship from medical professionals. You will spend the week exploring careers in medicine. The program also offers lab sessions, where you may get to practice skills like suturing. You will also get to learn about the different aspects of medical practice and build on the knowledge and skills needed for a healthcare career.
Location: Various Baptist Health facilities across Miami, FL
Cost: None
Application deadline: Rolling; you must apply at least two weeks before your intended start date
Dates: Flexible participation of up to four weeks; acceptance based on sponsor availability
Eligibility: Students who are 16 or older, have secured their sponsoring clinicians, and meet health and conduct requirements
The Baptist Health Observer Program offers a structured opportunity to observe medical professionals across various specialties within Baptist Health South Florida. Over four weeks, you will observe healthcare professionals and get insights into both clinical and administrative operations. This program is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the healthcare field, allowing you to witness the collaboration between different departments and understand the workflows that contribute to patient care. Beyond daily tasks, the program offers professional development opportunities to help you build essential workplace skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Locations: University of Miami, Miami, FL
Cost: $4,195 | Scholarships are available.
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Dates: June 17 – 25 | June 29 – July 7
Eligibility: High school students who are 14 to 18 years old
The National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) offers a nine-day immersive program for high school students interested in exploring medicine and healthcare. Here, you will engage in hands-on medical simulations, clinical skills rotations, and workshops on medical ethics and compassionate patient care. You will also get to practice surgical skills like suturing and learn how to interview, diagnose, and test patients. The program also offers a hands-on introduction to emergency care medicine. You will also engage in visits to accredited medical schools and interactions with healthcare professionals, providing you with a comprehensive overview of the medical field.
Location: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Cost: Free
Application deadline: February 21
Dates: June 23 – 27
Eligibility: Rising seniors in Miami-Dade County Public Schools with a minimum GPA of 3.2
Hosted by the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, the High School Careers in Medicine Workshop offers high schoolers an introduction to medical careers. Here, you will get to explore medical specialties through clinical simulations, lab activities, and professional development sessions. You will work alongside UM faculty, medical students, and residents, and get career and academic guidance from them. You will also participate in patient case studies and suturing sessions to build skills necessary for pursuing a career in healthcare. You will also get insights into college applications during the program.
Location: University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
Cost: Starts at $8,144 | Scholarships are available
Application deadlines: TBA
Dates: June 30 – July 17
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0
University of Miami Pre-College Program’s three-week course offers a college-level introduction to the field of biomedical engineering. You will learn how engineering principles are applied to solve problems in medicine, from designing medical devices to understanding biomechanics. Through lab work, faculty-led instruction, and collaborative projects, you will get a hands-on exposure to the field. The program also includes mentorship from graduate students and the opportunity to earn college credit. This experience will also allow you to experience life on a university campus. You can also choose from other health and medicine courses.
Location: Cleveland Clinic, Weston, FL (about 40 minutes from Miami, FL)
Cost: None
Application deadline: March 30
Dates: Session 1: June 16 – July 4 | Session 2: July 2 – 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.6
The Cleveland Clinic’s Summer Scholar Program is meant for high schoolers interested in learning about clinical medicine. Here, you will get to explore medical subspecialties like surgery, radiology, internal medicine, and emergency medicine alongside the clinic’s staff and physicians. You will also get to learn about the daily operations of a healthcare facility. The experience can help you get insights into different healthcare careers and the roles professionals play in delivering patient care. At the end of the program, you get to present a medical case to highlight your program takeaways.
Location: University of Miami Health System, Miami, FL
Cost: None
Application deadline: April 30
Dates: Flexible, up to 20 hours per week
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older
University of Miami Health System’s Research Trainee program provides high school students with the opportunity to assist with ongoing research projects within the University of Miami Health System. During the program, you will gain firsthand experience in a research setting and get insights into medical research methodologies. You will contribute to the research by helping researchers conduct experiments, collect data, analyze data, and interpret results. This experience can offer you a sneak peek into the lives of medical researchers and help you learn key research skills.
Location: University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
Cost: Starts at $8,144 | Scholarships are available
Application deadlines: TBA
Dates: June 30 – July 17
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0
The University of Miami Pre-College Program offers high schoolers opportunities to take credit-bearing college-level courses. You can choose the cancer biology course to get a strong introduction to oncology. Through three weeks of lectures, labs, and case-based learning, you will explore cancer biology, treatment strategies, and prevention—all while earning college credit. You will also explore diagnostic techniques like DNA cell cycle and proliferation analysis, as well as hormone and tumor marker receptor expression. The program also offers guidance from university faculty, access to collaborative research activities, and insights into careers in oncology and biomedical science.
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.
Image Source - Horizon Academic Research Program logo