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High School Hero

Pathway programs for high schoolers

Preparing students for a range of healthcare careers — from community health advocacy to biomedical science.

Our programs

Our high school programs are designed to give students the freedom to explore various careers in medicine. Learn more about each below.

9th – 12th Grade High School Health Interns Program

The Health Interns Program is designed to introduce high school students to a variety of career paths in the healthcare industry while examining public health issues and engaging in community outreach projects. 

Program overview

  • Students gain practical skills, participate in hands-on workshops and delve into public health issues impacting communities locally and globally as they learn about social determinants of health, disparities in healthcare and ways to promote health equity. 
  • Students also receive mentoring, college advising, and personal/professional development.
  • Monthly virtual shadowing complements the in-person session. Students meet professionals who work in related fields.
  • A transcript and letters of recommendation are provided.

Application requirements and dates

Students in 9th through 12th grade in any partner school can apply in early September each year. 

Application, essay and interview are required. Students must have a strong interest in healthcare and at least a 2.5 GPA.

Contact

Annamarie Rodriguez, program coordinator
arodriguez21@geisinger.edu 

 
10th – 12th Grade Sanofi Biomedical Program

Students explore the fascinating world of biomedical science and discover a wide range of exciting career possibilities in this dynamic and rapidly growing field. 

Program overview

  • Students attend thematic monthly workshops at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine engaging in laboratory experiments, research projects and group work.
  • Students learn the fundamental concepts of biomedical science and gain a deeper understanding of how the human body functions and how diseases develop. 
  • Students work with cutting-edge equipment, analyze data and develop critical thinking.
  • Students engage with scientists, researchers and other professionals in related fields through monthly online shadowing sessions.
  • Students participate in small-group research projects for the entire year that culminates in a student research symposium.
  • Staff provides ongoing career and college planning advisement.
  • Graduate students provide mentorship to students.

Application requirements and dates

Only partner schools can participate: Stroudsburg Area, West and East Pocono Mountain, and Wallenpaupak Area. 

Applications are coordinated through the schools in late spring and early fall. Application, essay and interview are required.

Contact

Poul Chinga, program coordinator
pachinga@geisinger.edu 

 
11th Grade Physician Ready PA Smart Program

A comprehensive and immersive program designed to ignite students' interest in pursuing a career as a physician or physician assistant. 

Through a combination of hands-on learning, interactive workshops, mentorship and physician shadowing, students gain insight into the profession and develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed. 

Students also create a medical school timeline, receive intensive college advisement, obtain medial certifications and SAT support during the academic year through in-person workshops, online meetings and individualized mentoring.

Program overview

  • In-person sessions each month at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. 
  • Students explore a different medical specialty area and learn about the common diseases, disorders and conditions treated, along with basic clinical skills, patient diagnosis and case study review, and learn patient communications through simulations.
  • Virtual and in-person career and college planning advising.
  • Creation of a medical school planning timeline.
  • Mentoring from undergraduate, graduate and medical students.
  • Online physician shadowing, specialty area presentations and case study projects.
  • Outreach and volunteer experiences.
  • Research projects and poster presentation.
  • Certifications and college application assistance.
  • SAT programming.

Application requirements and dates

High Schools in northeast Pennsylvania. Apply during 10th grade spring/summer. Application, essay, and interview are required.

The program is for students with specific career goals of becoming a doctor or physician associate. GPA of 2.5 or better. Preference given to students who meet one or more underserved categories in education.

 
12th Grade Physician Ready PA Smart Program

The 12th Grade Physician Ready Program provides an additional academic year schedule of the comprehensive programming students received in the 11th Grade Program.

Program overview

  • The program begins with a two-week residential program in June that focuses on medical knowledge, anatomy, clinical skills, interprofessional health, professionalism and preparation for college
  • Research projects and poster presentation.
  • Academic year in-person sessions follow and continue to provide specialty areas of medicine, diseases and disorders, and basic anatomy, introduction to important issues in healthcare and a focus on understanding interprofessionalism in medicine.
  • Intensive individualized college planning support in the areas of selecting colleges, declaring majors, completing applications and essays, understanding financial aid, FAFSA support, scholarship searches, preparing for college and more.
  • Virtual physician shadowing.
  • Outreach and volunteer experiences.
  • Certifications.
  • Transcript and recommendation letters for college application.
 

Testimonials

I’m a first-generation college student, so planning for college or even planning my future career was overwhelming. Thanks to the guidance and mentorship from staff, I was able to go beyond my wildest dreams. As I prepare to embark on the next chapter of my academic journey, I will always carry the lessons, experiences and memories I have gained from the Pathway Programs. I now have the confidence and knowledge I need to move toward a successful and fulfilling career in healthcare.

Kelly G

The Pathway Programs helped me become a more dynamic and well-rounded student. They provided guidance in the complicated process of applying to college. I am more confident going into a nursing major now due to all the information I learned about health science. The hands-on workshops and clinical skills were great. I wouldn’t be who I am today without these programs.

Justin

The benefits our students have seen from these programs have been remarkable. The best part is that they don’t view this as work — they learn through fun, hands-on activities that they get to do with college students and their friends. Our students are learning research skills and participating in poster presentations, receiving ongoing career and college advice and are exposed to a robust shadowing program that introduces them directly to people working in the career fields they learn about.

Clint Davis, coordinator of student services at Stroudsburg Area School District

Thank you for the opportunities you're providing for my students. REACH-HEI allows them to distinguish themselves from their academic peers. Often, we don't recognize the hard work and passion some people have for helping others. I'd be very remiss if I did that. Thank you for having a tremendous impact on my students. Too many times they're often overlooked or frowned upon due to the high school they attend. You've helped change the trajectory of their lives, and, for that, I'm eternally grateful!

Jon Hawk, Scranton School District

Program staff

Annamarie Rodriguez, program coordinator

Rodriguez

Anthony Soto Ramos, program coordinator

Anthony Soto Ramos

Poul Chinga, program coordinator

Chinga
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