For some, the interest in a healthcare career starts early. For 21 high school students, their desire to explore careers in health professions led them to the inaugural Aspiring Physician and Medical Scientist Summer Program, which took place at the MGH Institute from August 4-15. 

Designed and delivered by the MGH Institute of Health Professions’ Center of Excellence in Healthcare Simulation Research, the novel program combines clinical simulation and skill-building such as CPR, trauma response, labor and delivery scenarios, and suturing, along with exposure to medical research. The immersive experience also provided direct mentorship by faculty from the MGH Institute, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. 

Dr. Janice Palaganas, the Founding Director of the IHP Center of Excellence in Healthcare Simulation Research and Professor in the Health Professions Education Department, was inspired to create the program through a combination of a past high school intern now joining the MGH Institute Health Professions Education PhD program and also seeing her daughter’s experience at a lecture-based program for high school students. 

“I watched how it influenced her trajectory,” said Dr. Palaganas of her daughter who is now a pre-medicine student at Case Western Reserve University. “I wanted the program to give the students exposure to different practice skills and to be able to do everything hands on, as well as help give their college applications more muscle.”
That unique element of the program was a highlight for the high school students. 

“This program was valuable because most high school students don’t have the opportunity to learn about medicine not only theoretically but by actually doing something and learning procedures,” said one student. “Having that opportunity so early in careers is surely going to help us bring unique skills to the table later.” 

“My favorite part of the program was the simulations,” said another student. “It is one thing to learn it in the classroom but when you are there doing it hands on, it is so much different than you are expecting it to be.” 

Dr. Palaganas and her team received considerable positive feedback from parents who expressed that it was a life-changing experience for their kids.  

“Picking up my child and having her recount the endless amazing experiences was so fulfilling,” explained one of the parents. “Seeing how excited she was and inspired by what she learned was incredibly rewarding. The students learned the ins and outs of research from MGH faculty and EMTs, all with the goal of exposing them to many different medical field professions, discussing them in detail, including applications to med school, the use of AI, and the life of an MD. As a parent, I cannot imagine where else my child would have such an immersive and all-encompassing experience.”

The program is already taking applications for next summer when there will be two sessions: July 20-31, and August 3-14, 2026.