15 Medical Summer Programs for High School Students in Miami, FL

If you're a high school student curious about medicine, a summer program can be one of the best ways to explore the field beyond classroom biology or chemistry. Medical summer programs give you a practical introduction to clinical and health-related careers. You can shadow doctors at a hospital, join a university research project, or work alongside nurses at a community clinic.

Why should I participate in a medical summer program in high school?

Many medical programs for high schoolers are hosted by top universities, hospitals, and nonprofits. Depending on the program, you might get one-on-one mentorship with a physician, explore how medical ethics shapes patient care, or work on solving health challenges. Beyond career exploration, these programs give you compelling material for your college essays and mentors who could write your recommendation letters. Participating in a summer program is particularly valuable if you’re applying for a pre-med major, which tends to be competitive. 

Miami's hospitals, universities, and research facilities offer programs that involve lab work, clinical observation, simulation-based learning, and mentorship from physicians and scientists. To help you find the right fit, we've rounded up 15 medical summer programs for high school students in Miami, FL, selected for academic depth, structure, and organizational credibility.

1. JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship

Location: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Stipend: About $3,000 or more
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive. About 15 to 20 students
Dates: June 15 to August 7
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors in good academic standing who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents

Hosted by the Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, this is one of the most prestigious research internships for high school students in South Florida. The program focuses on the intersection of biological and computational sciences, pairing you with faculty mentors to work on genomics research. Unlike observational programs, you will be treated as a contributing member of the lab and are expected to handle data, run analyses, and contribute to ongoing studies. Throughout the eight weeks, you will attend seminars on bioethics, human genetics, and career pathways in medicine. The experience concludes with a High School Research Day, where you present your findings to faculty and peers. This internship is well-suited for students who want to build a strong foundation in data-driven medical research before entering college.

2. Ladder Internships

Location: Remote (you can work from anywhere in the world)
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type (financial aid available)
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort – spring (January), summer (May), fall (September), and winter (November); you can apply here.
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 8 - 12 weeks, devoting 10 - 20 hours/week.

Ladder Internships offers a selective internship program designed for high school students looking to gain real-world professional experience. As an intern, you’ll work with a fast-growing start-up across industries such as technology, AI/ML, health tech, medicine, mental health, consulting, and more. These companies are typically in the early stages of rapid growth, backed by over a million dollars in funding. You’ll be paired with a company manager and receive ongoing support from a dedicated ladder coach while contributing to impactful projects. By the end of the internship, you’ll present your work directly to the host company you’ve collaborated with.

3. Max Planck Florida Institute (MPFI) High School Internship

Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL
Stipend: $14 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. About 6 to 8 students
Dates: June 22 to July 31
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors. Must be age 16 or older. Must reside in Palm Beach County or Martin County

The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience offers six-week, hands-on wet lab summer internships for high school students interested in neuroscience. Located in Jupiter, FL, the lab l    studies focus on neural circuits related to vision, motor control, learning, and memory. Students select a track in neuroscience, scientific programming, or mechanical engineering related to basic and applied science in advanced mechanical and laboratory instrument building. In addition to conducting research, you will work with primary scientific literature and receive training in reading, writing, and presentation skills. The experience concludes in a formal research presentation to the organization. Applicants must be residing in  Palm Beach, Martin, Broward, Okeechobee, or Miami-Dade counties if they wish to apply.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Remote. You can participate from anywhere in the world
Cost: Varies by program type. Full financial aid available
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Program Dates: Varies by cohort in summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Eligibility: Must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate high academic achievement

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here. 

5. Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internship (UF Scripps)

Location: The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, Jupiter, FL
Stipend: Approximately $4,480
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective. About 15 students
Dates: June 5 to July 31
Application Deadline: Typically early March
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors age 16 or older in Palm Beach County or Martin County. Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0

This 8-week summer paid internship at the University of Florida Scripps Biomedical Research focuses on translational biomedical research. Kenan Fellows meet weekly with faculty scientists for seminars that include background on disease research, emerging discoveries, and advances in drugs and therapies. Program participants must complete 40 hours/week at their assigned research site. Most fellows are placed in the laboratory of a host scientist, though some fellows choose to work in a non-laboratory research setting in administration. Fellows are required to submit a written research summary and to deliver a 10-minute oral research presentation at the conclusion of the program. 

6. UHealth High School Student Research Trainee Program

Location: University of Miami Health System, Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very limited spaces
Dates: June 16 to August 7
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Students age 16 or older. Must train in pairs

The UHealth High School Student Research Trainee Program gives you exposure to clinical and biomedical research as you work with a research supervisor or principal investigator within the University of Miami Health System. Depending on the project, student trainees take part in various research support activities. Applicants are responsible for identifying and reaching out to potential research supervisors whose projects they’d like to join, as the projects are not assigned directly to participants by means of this program. Applicants commit to a maximum of 20 hours per week and must complete orientation, research training modules, and employment eligibility requirements. This program is ideal for those who want to understand how a real hospital, clinic, or research laboratory operates. 

7. FIU Summer Research Internship (SRI)

Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 28 students
Dates: June 12 to August 7
Application Deadline: Applications open in the spring
Eligibility: High school students age 16 or older and undergraduates

Hosted by the Florida International University’s College of Arts, Sciences & Education, the Summer Research Internship (SRI) is an intensive 8-week program focused on cardiovascular health and related disciplines. You will be paired with a FIU faculty mentor and engage in research in areas such as biomedical engineering, biological sciences, chemistry, and other cardiovascular fields. The program involves 15 hours a week in a laboratory environment (not just shadowing), participating in clinical scenarios, interactive lectures, professional development workshops, journal club meetings, and student presentations. You are expected to actively contribute to ongoing research projects, as this is not a shadowing experience. At the end of the summer, you will submit a research abstract and present your findings at a symposium. 

8. University of Miami High School Careers in Medicine Workshop

Location: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 22 to June 26
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: Rising seniors in Miami Dade County Public Schools. Must have a GPA of 3.2 or higher

The one-week summer experience is designed to help high school students from diverse backgrounds to consider a career in medicine and the health sciences. You will take part in simulation-based learning, receive mentorship from minority faculty and residents, and engage in academic enrichment, career development training, and college admissions counseling. The program provides high school students with an opportunity to learn about health care delivery and introduces students to the skills, expectations, and professional attitudes required for success in undergraduate and professional health science programs. Students are selected on the basis of demonstrated academic ability and a demonstrated interest in medicine and health care careers. The program is offered free of cost,  making it a great option for students who are interested in interacting and learning from current students and faculty at the U Miami Miller School of Medicine.

9. FIU Junior Doctors of Tomorrow (JDOT)

Location: FIU Modesto A. Maidique Campus, Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited to about 30 students
Dates: June 15 to June 19
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors. Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0

The Junior Doctors of Tomorrow program is a one-week summer enrichment program for high school students from underserved backgrounds who are interested in medical careers. The program introduces students to the academic and professional environment of medical school through hands-on workshops, learning basic clinical skills, and interacting with the faculty and staff members. The program emphasizes mentorship and aims to support young scholars who have limited exposure to clinical settings and highlight their potential of making a significant impact by pursuing the medical doctoral degree. Cohort size is intentionally small so that participants can benefit from close interactions with instructors.

10. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Teen Observer Program

Location: Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free. Volunteer based
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited capacity
Dates: Summer session typically June to August
Application Deadline: Typically March or April
Eligibility: High school students age 15 or older

The Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Teen Healthcare Observer program offers an opportunity for students to observe a healthcare professional in a pediatric hospital. Applicants gain insight into the daily responsibilities of clinicians and must complete an intensive set of requirements. This is one of the few shadowing and internship hospital experiences in Miami, FL, at a world-renowned specialty hospital, so the application process can be quite competitive. This is an opportunity that helps you to decide if shadowing healthcare professionals working with children in a clinical environment is perfect for you or not

11. Mount Sinai Medical Center Teen Volunteer Program

Location: Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Summer session. Ongoing commitment required
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students age 16 or older. Must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher

The Mount Sinai Medical Center Teen Volunteer program is open to students aged 15 - 18 years and requires a minimum commitment of 150 volunteer hours. As a high school volunteer, you will provide clerical, clinical, reception, and hospitality support across various hospital departments. The program is well-suited for students considering a future in medicine who want to become a part of the Mount Sinai Volunteer family. Students gain insight into what it would be like to work in a major hospital while assessing their comfort and interest in healthcare careers.

12. Baptist Health South Florida Observer Program

Location: Various Baptist Health facilities in Miami, Kendall, Coral Gables and other areas
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by department capacity
Dates: Flexible year round. Summer placements available
Application Deadline: Rolling. Apply at least 4 weeks in advance
Eligibility: Students age 16 or older. Must secure a sponsoring physician

The Baptist Health Observer Program gives you clinical experience through on-the-job training with a health care professional. Participants are paired with a sponsoring clinician – either a physician or advanced practice provider (APP) – who provides guidance and mentorship during the experience. The program is purely observational and does not allow hands-on clinical or medical work. In order to apply, the observer must seek out a sponsoring clinician (physician or APP) and arrange for their permission to apply as an observer at their office. It is a flexible option for students who want clinical exposure without the time commitment of a full-time research internship.

13. HCA Florida Kendall Hospital Teen Volunteer Program

Location: HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies
Dates: Summer session
Application Deadline: Rolling. Inquire in spring
Eligibility: Students age 16 or older

This program, offered in the Kendall area of Miami, allows high school students to work as volunteers in a level I trauma center. You will be involved in patient transportation, information desks, or unit assistance activities, experiencing the working of an acute-care hospital setting. The objective of this initiative is to provide students with a realistic preview of working in a hospital. Participants are expected to maintain professional conduct and comply with hospital protocols. This experience is particularly beneficial for students living in the southern part of Miami-Dade County seeking local clinical exposure. It demonstrates a commitment to community health and patient support.

14. University of Miami Summer Scholars Program

Location: University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
Cost: About $9,532 residential. About $8,144 commuter
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive. Varies by track
Dates: June 27 to July 17
Application Deadline: Rolling admission. March 1 priority
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors. Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0

The University of Miami Summer Scholars Program allows high school students to earn up to six college credits while exploring different fields of study. The program offers different concentrations within health and medicine, including the study of infectious diseases, neuroscience, and public health. You will attend lectures from UM faculty members with learning activities that reflect college-level academics. Depending on the selected track, students may also visit on-campus medical facilities and research labs. In addition to rigorous coursework, the program includes classes and workshops focused on college admissions and career strategies. This program is well-suited for students who want to test their readiness for college-level sciences.

15. NSU AIM-High (Achieve in Medicine)

Location: Nova Southeastern University, Davie, FL about 25 miles from Miami
Cost: About $1,800
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment until full
Dates: Sessions in June and July
Application Deadline: Applications open in spring. Rolling admission
Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen through seniors. Must have a GPA of 3.2 or higher

The AIM-High is a 5-day residential program open to high school students in Florida who are interested in pursuing health professions. It is located in Davie, just due north of Miami, and allows students to practice dissecting, casting, and other hands-on activities. The high school students can explore careers in medicine, pharmacy, and nursing, practice clinical skills using NSU’s state-of-the-art simulation labs and technology, connect with current students, faculty, and staff, and learn about osteopathic principles and training. 

Image Source - University of Miami Miller School of Medicine logo