15 Healthcare Internships for High School Students in Wisconsin
Healthcare internships are a good option for high school students who want to move beyond classroom theory and see how the medical field works. You'll interact with professionals and patients, which helps you develop skills like empathy, communication, and teamwork. It's also a practical way to find out whether a healthcare career is right for you before you commit to a college major.
What healthcare internships are available for high school students in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has a strong network of healthcare institutions that offer internships for high school students. Organizations like UW Health, Children's Wisconsin, and Froedtert offer exposure to patient care, medical research, and hospital operations. You can learn about subareas like nursing, pharmacy, and diagnostic imaging.
We narrowed it down to the 15 best healthcare internships for high school students in Wisconsin that offer practical learning and exposure to different areas.
1. Apprenticeship in Medicine (AIM) at Medical College of Wisconsin
Location: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 20–30 students
Dates: Mid-June – Early August
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors, seniors, or recent graduates who are at least 16 years old; attend high school in the Milwaukee area; have a 2.75 GPA in science and math
In the Apprenticeship in Medicine program, you participate in activities designed to stimulate interest in medicine, biomedical research, and allied health fields. You engage in clinical shadowing and simulations under the guidance of medical students and professionals. The program includes learning about common medical issues in your community and developing an abstract for an oral presentation on a chosen disease or condition. You also benefit from academic preparation sessions that emphasize achievement and career awareness. Opportunities for physician shadowing and collaboration with research teams are available, along with experiential learning about human body systems.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25% acceptance; 70–100 students per session
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and gap year students who can commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
In the Ladder Internships program, you work virtually with startups or nonprofits in health tech or mental health, contributing to real-world projects tailored to your interests. You collaborate with company coaches to create deliverables, such as coding systems for medical devices or researching nutrient-disease interactions. The experience involves weekly guidance sessions from a manager and a Ladder Coach, as well as independent work, helping you develop skills in problem-solving, data analysis, and AI-driven healthcare solutions. You focus on entrepreneurship and practical applications in healthcare settings. Upon completion, you receive a letter from the host company documenting your contributions. Apply now!
3. 500 Stars Initiative at Medical College of Wisconsin
Location: Milwaukee Metro area
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 50 students per year
Dates: June 22 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school students at least 16 years old by June 1, and have a minimum 2.5 CGPA
In this program, you will engage in activities like assisting in research labs, visiting cadaver facilities, and shadowing medical professionals. The program features a community-focused model, which actively involves your family and mentors in your professional development throughout the journey. By joining "SMART" research teams, you will master scientific literacy, data analysis, and networking skills. You also refine your leadership and public speaking abilities by presenting your project findings to faculty and peers. This experience provides a direct pathway into the healthcare workforce and builds a strong foundation for your future scientific career.
4. ACS Center for Innovation in Cancer Research Training (CICRT) – High School Program
Location: Virtual
Stipend: $500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; up to 20 students
Dates: Two weeks in July
Application Deadline: Varies by institution; typically between January and April
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors who are at least 16 years old by the program start date
The ACS CICRT is a two-week virtual summer program for STEMM-focused high school students. The curriculum covers critical topics like molecular biology, nanomedicine, health disparities, and various oncology career paths. During the experience, you will conduct experiments using at-home lab kits, analyze cancer case studies, and attend professional development workshops with expert mentors. This program is unique for its multi-institutional "near-peer" mentoring structure. You will sharpen essential skills in scientific problem-solving, technical communication, and data analysis. These practical tools prepare you to excel in future cancer research or clinical medicine roles.
5. Beloit Health System’s Youth Apprenticeship – Medical Assistant
Location: Beloit Clinic – Beloit, WI
Stipend: $12.25/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies by department capacity
Dates: July – July (One or two-year program following the academic calendar)
Application Deadline: Late February/Early March
Eligibility: Current high school students at least 16 years old
In this program, you will study essential topics including medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and digital literacy while earning academic credit toward your diploma. During the program, you’ll engage in activities like taking patient vitals, assisting physicians with exams, scheduling appointments, and preparing treatment rooms. This unique hybrid structure combines mentored on-the-job training with formal classroom instruction to bridge the gap between school and your professional career. Ultimately, this experience builds your professional resume and leads to an industry-recognized state certificate of proficiency.
6. Beloit Health System’s Youth Apprenticeship – Optical Assistant
Location: Beloit Clinic – Beloit, WI
Stipend: $12.25/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies by department capacity
Dates: July – July (One or two-year program following the academic calendar)
Application Deadline: Late February/Early March
Eligibility: Current high school students at least 16 years old
The Beloit Health System’s Optical Assistant Youth Apprenticeship is a paid program that immerses you in the ophthalmology field while you're still in high school. You will explore topics like lens prescriptions, eye anatomy, and infection control while earning a competitive wage. During your shifts, you'll measure eye distances, assist with exams, help patients select frames, and manage eyewear orders. You’ll develop technical proficiency in eye care alongside essential skills like patient communication and professional reliability. It’s a perfect bridge between your current education and a future healthcare career.
7. ARISE High School Cancer Research Program (UW-Madison)
Location: UW–Madison Carbone Cancer Center (Madison, WI)
Stipend: $18/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 10–15 students
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Wisconsin high school students who have completed sophomore year and are 16+ by the program’s start
As a participant in the ARISE program at UW-Madison, you explore the world of oncology, exploring cancer biology, clinical research, and health equity. You will rotate through research labs, shadow oncology physicians in clinics, and develop your own public health project. What makes this experience unique is its "bench-to-bedside" approach, allowing you to see how laboratory discoveries directly impact patient care in a real-world hospital setting. Through this intensive curriculum, you develop essential professional skills in scientific communication, critical thinking, and data analysis.
8. Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center – Cancer Health Education Program (CRHSP)
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 15–20 students
Dates: 8 weeks between mid-June and early August
Application Deadline: Early February
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–11 who are 16+ by program start
In this synchronous virtual experience built for aspiring scientists, you’ll dive into cancer biology, prevention, and survivorship. During the program, you will conduct genetics experiments with home kits, analyze patient case studies, attend career panels, and present your final research findings. A standout feature of CRHSP is its multi-institutional structure, which allows you to collaborate with Midwest peers and mentors from the eCLOSE Institute. This intensive curriculum offers a realistic glimpse into oncology careers while rewarding your dedication with a participation stipend.
9. SSM Health – Youth Apprenticeship Program
Location: SSM Health sites across Wisconsin
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 50 students per annual cycle
Dates: One or two years between February and May
Application Deadline: Mid-January
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students at least 16 years old; Nurse Aide pathways applicants must hold a current Certified Nurse Aide Certification
The SSM Health Youth Apprenticeship Program lets you step into the medical world while still finishing high school. You will explore pathways in patient care, diagnostic imaging, lab science, pharmacy, and phlebotomy, alongside facility trades like electrical and HVAC work. On the job, you will assist with patient care, prepare clinical rooms, and manage digital records under expert mentorship. You will develop technical medical skills and professional traits like effective communication and workplace safety. Graduation provides an industry certificate and a clear head start on a permanent healthcare career.
10. UW Carbone Cancer Center – Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE) Oncology
Location: Virtual
Stipend: $500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; up to 20 students per year
Dates: July 13–24
Application Deadline: Early March
Eligibility: Wisconsin high school freshmen, sophomores, or juniors
The Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE) in Oncology at UW Carbone Cancer Center is a transformative, two-week virtual program designed to dive into cancer research and clinical care. Throughout the sessions, you will explore diverse topics such as genetics, oncology clinical trials, health disparities, and medical ethics while working alongside a multi-institutional cohort of peers. You’ll engage in laboratory work using a provided home kit to study Drosophila model organisms, collaborate on a patient case study project, and attend faculty-led lectures and career panels. By the end, you will have gained essential skills in data analysis, scientific communication, and critical thinking.
11. Pre-Pharmacy Scholars Program at Medical College of Wisconsin
Location: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 20% acceptance; 25 scholars
Dates: One-week bootcamp between August 4–7, followed by quarterly meetings in October, January, and April
Application Deadline: Typically mid-to-late spring
Eligibility: Milwaukee-area high school students
The Pre-Pharmacy Scholars Program at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) provides a unique pathway for exploring careers in pharmacy. In this program, you start with a one-week boot camp on the MCW campus, exploring pharmacy career pathways through hands-on activities like compounding and vitals collection. Throughout the academic year, you will attend quarterly mentoring sessions and shadow a pharmacist. You also shadow a pharmacy student at community health screening events, along with physician shadowing or joining a research team. You learn about human body systems through experiential approaches with medical students.
12. Students Understanding Principles of Research Education through Medicine, Engineering, and Science (SUPREMES) at Medical College of Wisconsin
Location: Laboratories in the Greater Milwaukee Area
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 13–15 students
Dates: September – May
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: 11th or 12th grade students from the Milwaukee area who are 16+, have a 3.5 GPA, and have completed or are enrolled in Biology, Chemistry, Algebra I & II, and two years of English/Composition
The SUPREMES program enables you to join a research team in biomedical, clinical, or technology development labs in the Milwaukee area during the academic year. In this program, you will conduct research, develop a manuscript and poster, and present findings at a symposium. The program increases your scientific literacy and exposes you to career opportunities in research and health professions. You collaborate with professionals to reflect on issues in basic science research. Some participants may contribute to scientific publications based on their work.
13. STEP-UP High School at Medical College of Wisconsin
Location: Milwaukee
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; small cohort sizes
Dates: November – April
Application Deadline: September 30
Eligibility: 9th-12th grade students in Milwaukee area schools with a 2.5 GPA
The STEP-UP High School program at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is an academic-year initiative designed to introduce local students to various careers in medicine and health sciences. In this program, you will participate in sessions led by pre-med students, MCW students, and health professionals on Saturdays. The program exposes you to the human body systems and various health science careers through age-appropriate activities. You can also extend your experience with physician shadowing or research team involvement.
14. Inspire Wisconsin – Healthcare Service Internship
Location: Aurora Medical Center, Sheboygan, WI
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: Semester–long (Offered during Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions)
Application Deadline: Varies by semester; Fall: Early September; Spring: January; Summer: Mid-March
Eligibility: High school students, minimum 14 years old, and enrolled in participating Sheboygan County schools
In the Inspire Wisconsin Healthcare Service Internship, you will gain 90 hours of immersive volunteer experience within a professional hospital setting like Aurora Health. Throughout the semester, you will explore various medical departments by shadowing doctors, performing volunteer service tasks, and completing a career-readiness curriculum. You will develop essential employability skills and professional networking habits while learning how different healthcare roles collaborate to treat patients. By the end, you will have a much clearer vision for your post-graduation path and a solid foundation in workplace etiquette.
15. Co-op Program at Black River Memorial Hospital
Location: Black River Falls
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; limited cohort sizes
Dates: Scholastic semester (Fall or Spring)
Application Deadline: Typically coincides with semester course registration windows
Eligibility: Students enrolled at Black River Falls High School in grades 9–12
In the Black River Memorial Hospital Co-op Program, you’ll spend a semester exploring healthcare fields and services through a partnership with Black River Falls High School. You will rotate through various departments before selecting one specific area to observe daily medical workflows. During your weekly hours, you’ll conduct staff interviews, tour specialized units, and shadow professionals to see operations. This program allows you to sample multiple paths before specializing in a department that truly interests you. It’s a great way to gain real-world experience and clarify your future career goals.