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Summer Explorations in Health and Medicine
Considering study in the life sciences or health fields?
Now is a great time to begin thinking about getting "hands on."
STEM students focused on life sciences (biology or chemistry or human-focused engineering) are naturally curious about avenues to gain exposure to healthcare fields. The idea of combining a love of biology or anatomy while treating patients and improving lives feels like a calling. But how to test the waters for a peek into the clinical world?
START WITH MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT CLUBS
HOSA - Future Health Professionals, a health professions-focused club with chapters across the world, offers robust opportunities to learn about health-related topics and glimpse the latest technologies in health and medicine. Through team competitions, HOSA student members have opportunities to demonstrate their topical knowledge across dozens of areas in life science.
MEDICAL SETTINGS
Beyond school-based clubs, high schoolers interested in health fields might consider real-world exposure through clinical or social service settings. Community health centers, the family doctor's office and the like may have opportunities available for high school students to shadow health professionals or assist with office-related tasks.
HOSPITAL & HUMAN HEALTH VOLUNTEERING
Hospitals can provide volunteers with robust observation or hands-on opportunities in a clinical or community health setting. (Note that volunteer spots are in demand and fill quickly.)
Following are some established programs in the Greater Boston area:
Brigham & Women's - volunteer and research opportunities for students (high school and college)
Mass General Junior Volunteers - Volunteer programs
Newton-Wellesley Junior Volunteers (Part of Mass General Brigham)
Emerson Health - Volunteer programs
UMass Memorial Medical Center - Volunteer programs
Lowell General Hospital - Volunteer program
- AMERICAN RED CROSS - Offers opportunities for teen volunteers
- Senior residential centers might value student volunteers to take a role in elder social connections or food service.
- Contact your Town Social Worker, Senior Center or local food pantries to see if there are opportunities for teen volunteers.
UNIVERSITY-BASED SUMMER COURSEWORK
Boston University: AIM - Introduction to Medicine
Brandeis Summer Program/Course in Women’s Health
WPI Frontiers - 2 or 4-week programs in STEM and humanities; non-credit bearing
Wake Forest Medicine Institute - hands-on exposure to the medical field through observations; simulations; labs; non-invasive medical procedures
College of William & Mary Anatomy Lab -hands-on exposure to human anatomy through medical cadaver study
Our post-pandemic world has proved more than ever before that the demand in skilled healthcare or allied health fields is not diminishing any time soon. Youth who have an interest and talent for optimizing health and well being deserve every opportunity to examine their potential!
Marla Platt, M.B.A. is an independent college consultant based in Sudbury, MA through AchieveCoach College Consulting, providing expert and personalized guidance to students and families throughout the college planning, search and admissions process. Marla is a professional member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association and can be reached via www.achievecoach.com
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