12 Medical Internships for High School Students in Arizona
If you're a high school student in Arizona considering a career in medicine, local internships are a great way to explore healthcare professions early on. These programs allow you to shadow medical professionals, participate in clinical or research activities, and gain exposure to fields like surgery, neuroscience, or public health.
Many of these internships are hosted by Arizona’s top hospitals, universities, and research institutions, and some even offer stipends, making them both accessible and rewarding.
In this blog, we’ve rounded up 12 medical internships for high school students in Arizona that can help you take the first step toward a career in the medical field.
1. Barrow Neurological Institute Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ
Dates: May 30 – July 3
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years old or older
Cost/Stipend: Free
This Arizona medical internship for high school students provides practical lab research experiences in neuroscience and biomedical science. You'll work alongside scientists using advanced techniques and technologies to study disease mechanisms and treatments, gaining experience in experimental design, scientific analysis, and research communication. If you’re interested in lab research, make sure to go through the laboratory descriptions before applying.
In addition to lab roles, the program also includes support internships in areas like marketing, scientific publishing, and nonprofit administration, providing exposure to the broader infrastructure behind medical research.
2. Ladder Internships—Healthcare and Medicine Track
Location: Virtual
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 5–15 hours/week
Cost/Stipend: Starts at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Ladder Internships is a virtual internship program founded by Harvard alumni that matches high school students with startups and nonprofits across a range of industries. You will choose a specific area of interest, such as medicine, healthcare, or health technology, and engage in impactful projects that support the mission of the host organization. You’ll receive mentorship from both a startup manager and a Ladder coach, with additional training sessions focused on communication, time management, and professional development.
For students interested in healthcare and medicine, Ladder offers tailored placements with relevant startups like JuneBrain, IPMD, and Softenmind, providing exposure to the intersection of technology and healthcare.
3. Keep Engaging Youth in Science (KEYS) Research internship
Location: The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: ~13%
Dates: June 2 – July 18
Application Deadline: December 13
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old by June 2 and have resided in Arizona for at least one year. Completing Biology and Chemistry is recommended, but not compulsory
Cost/Stipend: Free
The KEYS Research Internship at the University of Arizona is a competitive 7-week summer program where you’ll get hands-on experience in bioscience research. After completing pre-program assignments in science literacy, data science, and biotechnology, you’ll begin with an intensive training week to build the lab skills needed for success. From there, you’ll work full-time in a research lab, contributing to real projects under the guidance of University of Arizona scientists and mentors.
As a KEYS intern, you will apply academic knowledge to practical research across various fields, including genetics, bioengineering, environmental science, and molecular biology. You’ll also attend weekly seminars to strengthen your scientific communication skills and prepare for a final poster presentation at the program’s research showcase.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; the internship only accepts 25 students
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 14 years old by the start of the program, have strong math/computer programming skills or experience with a healthcare subject, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Cost/Stipend: $850 + $40 application fee (full financial aid is available)
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a rigorous, hands-on introduction to AI in healthcare for high school students. Over two weeks, you'll engage with real-world medical research problems through technical lectures, collaborative project work, and mentoring from Stanford researchers. The program focuses on technical development as well as practical applications in fields such as medical imaging and bioinformatics.
You'll participate in daily research sessions, peer collaboration, and career talks from experts across academia, industry, and public sectors. Through the internship, you’ll also have opportunities for extended research, based on your performance.
5. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: Virtual
Dates: 5 weeks; typically July – August
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors interested in behavioral sciences or brain health-related sciences. Students from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds are strongly recommended to apply
Cost/Stipend: None
JHIBS is a focused, five-week virtual medical internship for high school students centered on neuroscience and behavioral science. Designed for students with a strong academic foundation and interest in STEM, the program combines educational presentations, professional development workshops, and training in fundamental lab techniques to introduce participants to research in brain sciences. With mentorship and organized learning, you’ll delve into the scientific method, enhance critical thinking abilities, and become familiar with ethical research practices — all under the guidance of seasoned biomedical experts.
Location: Phoenix or Flagstaff, AZ
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 5
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who have studied in Arizona, are at least 16 years old, and have U.S. work authorization
Cost/Stipend: $14.70 per hour
Helios Scholars offers medical internships for high school seniors and college/university students in Arizona who are interested in real-world biomedical research. You’ll spend 8 weeks working on translational bioscience projects like investigating cancer genetics, analyzing pathogens like antibiotic-resistant bacteria, or applying computational tools to complex biological data, under the guidance of expert scientists. You will acquire hands-on skills in laboratory research, bioinformatics, and scientific writing, while actively participating in projects that have tangible health benefits.
Additionally, you’ll attend seminars on professional development, explore bioscience career paths, and collaborate with peers across disciplines. Finally, you’ll present your work through an oral lab presentation and a formal scientific poster at a symposium.
7. Stanford Clinical Summer Internship (CSI)
Location: Virtual
Dates: July 28 – August 8 (Summer Virtual) | September 11 – November 13 (Fall Intensive)
Application Deadline: February 24 (Summer Virtual) | June 2 (Fall Intensive)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old. Applicants are recommended to complete a high school biology course before enrolling
Cost/Stipend: $4,380 (Summer Virtual), $1,980 (Fall Intensive)
Stanford CSI provides a structured introduction to clinical medicine through either a two-week summer session or a ten-week fall intensive. You will participate in interactive lectures, clinical skills workshops, and small-group case-based learning led by Stanford faculty, medical students, and physician assistant students.
Core topics include patient history taking, physical examinations, diagnostic reasoning, and exposure to medical specialties such as cardiology, gastroenterology, and pulmonology. You’ll also practice clinical techniques such as suturing, injections, and vital sign assessment, while developing skills in communication, teamwork, and critical thinking.
Location: University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ
Dates: June 1 – June 7 (Residential camp) | June 9 – June 13 (Day camp)
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Current 11th-grade students
Cost/Stipend: $500 (Residential camp) | $300 (Day camp)
Though it isn't a typical internship, Summer Scrubs offers a rigorous health career exploration program for high school students in Arizona, emphasizing practical lab experiences, simulation training, and clinical exposure. You’ll engage in practical skill-building activities such as suturing, CPR, and anatomy labs while also participating in field trips and patient simulations.
In addition to clinical skills training, you’ll attend interactive workshops on medical topics, receive college readiness support, and gain exposure to the medical school application process. The program includes both a six-day residential camp and a day camp option for rising seniors, as well as the Healthcare Team for current 9th and 10th graders.
9. Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center's Stanford Summer Internship
Location: Virtual
Dates: June 23 – July 1 (Program 1) | July 14 – 25 (Program 2)
Application Deadline: March 8
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old at the start of the internship
Cost/Stipend: $4,500 (financial aid is available)
This intensive program enables high school students to explore cardiothoracic anatomy, physiology, and surgical techniques through a blend of lectures and interactive virtual lab sessions. You will learn about key topics in cardiothoracic surgery, such as valve replacement, coronary bypass, and heart transplantation, while also examining career options and ethical considerations in both cardiac and thoracic surgery. Daily lectures led by Stanford faculty cover both foundational science and clinical applications.
In the afternoon technical labs, you’ll practice core surgical skills like knot tying, suturing, vessel anastomosis, and instrument handling using simulators and supplies shipped directly to you. Instructors demonstrate each technique live via overhead cameras and provide real-time feedback as you perform the procedures on camera.
10. UT Southwestern Medical Center’s High School Student Internship
Location: Virtual
Dates: 2 weeks in June
Application Deadline: Typically early February
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade high school students
Cost/Stipend: None
This two-week virtual summer medical internship for high school students introduces rising 10th–12th graders to diverse careers in mental health. The program is led by clinician-scientists, such as social workers, neuropsychologists, physician assistants, and psychiatrists, and it integrates pre-session readings with interactive presentations.
You’ll explore topics such as psychotherapy, neuropsychological testing, neuroscience, interventional psychiatry, and community mental health. Sessions highlight real-world responsibilities, educational pathways, and career decision-making, offering a comprehensive and practical understanding of the mental health field.
11. Mayo Clinic Career Advancement, Research, and Education Summer Program (CARES)
Location: Arizona; virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: ~10%
Dates: 4 weeks for the in-person program, followed by one year of mentorship
Application Deadline: February 1 (in-person) | May 31 (virtual)
Eligibility: Arizona high school students
Cost/Stipend: Students in the in-person program will receive a stipend
The Mayo Clinic CARES Program isn’t an internship, but it offers a comprehensive summer experience for Arizona high school students exploring careers in healthcare while providing a stipend. You will participate in hands-on activities, experience virtual simulations, and attend presentations from professionals in various fields, including surgery, radiology, nursing, biomedical research, public health, and others. Instead of focusing on individual shadowing or research, the emphasis is placed on wide exposure to hospital careers, providing you with practical insights into daily roles across the departments of Mayo Clinic.
The experience continues into the academic year with a mentorship opportunity, matching you with a healthcare professional in your area of interest to support your long-term goals.
Location: Metro Phoenix and throughout the Valley, AZ
Dates: 8 weeks; exact dates vary by internship
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: High school students
Cost/Stipend: Varies by position, typically $15/hour
AZYouthforce provides structured career development experiences for teens, combining essential job readiness training with real-world, paid internships. Before your placement, you will complete 30 hours of training at AZYouthforce Academy, where you can develop essential workplace skills, including public speaking, resume writing, financial literacy, customer service, and cultivating a professional mindset.
Once placed, you’ll be paired with both an on-site mentor and an Internship Manager who supports your growth throughout the program. The program is a subset of the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley, but you don’t have to be a member to apply.