13 Medical Internships for High School Students in Florida
If you’re a high school student with an interest in medicine or a healthcare career, participating in a medical internship can help you explore the field. These programs allow you to move beyond the classroom, whether that means assisting in research labs, shadowing physicians, or exploring areas such as biotechnology, neuroscience, or public health. Along the way, you’ll gain valuable skills, from laboratory techniques to data analysis, and develop a deeper understanding of medical practices.
Why should you attend an internship in Florida?
Florida is home to several institutions and colleges, such as the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience and Florida International University, that offer medical internships. Many of these institutions offer structured programs that help you gain professional and research experience with mentorship from experts in the field and networking opportunities.
To help with your search, here are 13 medical internships for high school students in Florida.
If you are looking for internships in Florida, check out our blog here.
1. Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internship
Location: Palm Beach State College, Palm Beach Gardens, FL + Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, Jupiter, FL
Stipend: $4,480
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: June 1 – July 30
Application Deadline: December – March 1
Eligibility: Palm Beach or Martin County high school rising juniors or seniors (16+) with a GPA of 3.0+
As a participant in the Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internship, you will get to explore the world of biological and chemical research and work alongside leading scientists researching cancer and the coronavirus. In the first week, you’ll attend an introductory course that covers standard techniques and applications in biomedical research. You’ll then work with UF Scripps laboratory personnel and get to learn about the scientific process, research planning, experimental design, and more. The program focuses on ensuring you develop essential lab, presentation, and research skills. It also gives you the opportunity to experience a career in biotechnology, research, biomedical engineering, or drug discovery. By the end of the program, you’ll be expected to submit a written scientific abstract of your experience and prepare an oral presentation and poster.
2. MPFI: Summer Research Internship
Location: Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Jupiter, FL
Stipend: $13/hour
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: January – March 4
Eligibility: Palm Beach or Martin County rising high school juniors or seniors (16+)
As part of the Summer Research Internship program, you’ll get to work alongside scientists and researchers at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience. You’ll learn about neuroscience concepts like brain structure, function, and development, and explore the use of advanced imaging techniques and technologies in the field. The program offers three tracks that you can choose from: Neuroscience, Scientific Programming, and Mechanical Engineering. The Neuroscience track offers a more medicine-focused experience during which you’ll participate in laboratory neuroscience research and learn about genetic engineering, microscopy, and more. By the end of the program, you should have written a scientific abstract based on your research to date and delivered a short presentation on it.
3. Veritas AI: AI + Medicine Deep Dive
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students who have either completed the AI Scholars program or have a background in coding
Veritas AI offers AI-focused work-learn programs designed for motivated high school students and is founded and managed by graduate students from Harvard University. One of the programs offered is the AI + Medicine Deep Dive, during which you will explore how artificial intelligence is applied within the healthcare and medical fields. You will also have the opportunity to work on real-world projects and make use of AI and machine learning models to diagnose diseases, improve medical imaging, and interpret results to support healthcare professionals and patients.
4. JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship
Location: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Stipend: $15/hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Highly competitive; 12 spots per year
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: December 1 – January 31
Eligibility: High school juniors from the Miami and Broward areas in good academic standing
As a participant of the JJ Vance Memorial Summer Internship, you will get to spend around eight weeks at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, gaining hands-on research experience. You will be paired up with a HIHG staff member, post-doc student, or faculty member, who will offer mentorship as you work on a research project. During the program, you will get to choose from two tracks: the computational track, during which you will use computer models and simulations to better understand natural systems, or the biological track, which offers a traditional wet lab experience. By the end of the program, you might have to deliver an oral presentation of your findings.
5. Ladder Internships: Medicine Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Ladder Internships is a selective internship program designed for ambitious high school students interested in startups. As a participant, you will have the opportunity to work with high-growth startups across various industries, including health tech, deep tech, AI/ML, journalism, consulting, and more. These startups have typically raised over one million dollars in funding. During the internship, you will spend around eight weeks collaborating closely with your startup manager and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects related to healthcare or health tech. Once the program has reached its end, you will be expected to present your work to the company.
6. Moffitt’s HIP IMO
Location: Moffitt Cancer Center at the University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Stipend: $1,000 scholarship
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 9 – August 1 (as per previous year)
Application Deadline: February 1 (as per previous year)
Eligibility: High school students (16+)
The HIP IMO, or High School Student Internship Program in Integrated Mathematical Oncology, program at Moffitt offers you the chance to explore different interdisciplinary cancer research careers. As an intern, you will be supervised by a scientist or staff member from the Integrated Mathematical Oncology (IMO) department, who will provide mentorship and guidance as you work on an assigned individual research project. During this period, you will cultivate essential research skills that are fundamental for a future career in cancer research. By the end of the program, you will be expected to have prepared a three-page scientific report on your findings thus far and deliver a 15-minute presentation on HIP IMO research day.
7. High School Student Research Trainee
Location: University of Miami Health System, Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Not specified (up to 20 hours per week)
Application Deadline: April 30 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students (16+)
As a High School Student Research Trainee, you will spend time at the University of Miami Health System, where you will get to explore a career in research. As a participant, you will learn, assist, and observe UHealth research projects that are currently in progress. Additionally, you will have the chance to develop your written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Please note that the program does not offer course credit or compensation; however, it does provide valuable hands-on experience in healthcare research.
8. Summer Youth Internship Program
Location: Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July 1 – August 2 (as per previous year)
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: Miami-Dade County rising 10th-12th graders (ages: 15-18)
The Summer Youth Internship Program, hosted by Nicklaus Children's Hospital and M-DCPS, offers high school students the chance to spend their summer gaining work experience in the field of their choice. During the program, you will have the opportunity to work alongside a mentor in a clinical setting and gain insight into the different roles within healthcare. Your mentor will also share their personal career experiences, providing you with a clearer understanding of potential career paths. By the end of the internship, you will have developed essential professional skills, including communication and problem-solving abilities.
9. FIU-CTS High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: Not mentioned
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; Around 20 students
Dates: June 9 – July 10 (as per previous year)
Application Deadline: Opens in March (tentative)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in St. Lucie County
During the FIU-CTS High School Summer Internship Program, you’ll participate in around five weeks of mentored biomedical science research. Some of the fields covered include Drug Discovery and Delivery, Ageing and Wellness, Heart and Pulmonary Physiology, Pathology, Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury, and more. During the internship, you will get to work with some of the top scientists in their fields and learn more about the scientific process, including how to investigate a hypothesis. You’ll also gain hands-on experience, working in state-of-the-art labs and conducting experiments, and you'll get to improve your problem-solving and critical thinking skills. The program also offers you the chance to determine your preferred career path in science. By the end of it, you will be expected to present what you’ve learned at the CTS High School Summer Internship Luncheon.
10. FIU Summer Research Internship
Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; Around 30 students
Dates: June 12 – August 7
Application Deadline: Opens in spring
Eligibility: South Florida high school juniors or graduated seniors (16+) with an unweighted GPA of 3.0 and an interest in cardiovascular-related research
During the FIU Summer Research Internship program, you’ll gain hands-on experience in cardiovascular health research. As a participant, you’ll have two main time commitments to focus on: curriculum time and research time. During curriculum time, you will participate in journal clubs and workshops and explore case studies; whereas during research time, you will focus on working on a cardiovascular-related research project under the guidance of a faculty research mentor. The program gives you the chance to learn more about experimental design and the various research methodologies. You’ll also get to work on improving your critical thinking skills, as well as your leadership, communication, and teamwork skills.
11. Moffitt’s VolunTeen Program
Location: Various Moffitt Cancer Center locations in Florida
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by cohort; September 14 – November 8 (fall)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; August 4 – 21 (fall); First-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 15 and 17
Moffitt Cancer Centre provides high school students with the opportunity to volunteer at any of its locations, contributing to the positive experience of patients, staff, and visitors. As a volunteer, you will be expected to commit to a minimum of two months of service, consisting of one three-hour shift per week. This is a relatively selective program that accepts students on a first-come, first-served basis. Once you join, you will be expected to participate in all mandatory onboarding requirements. Although this is not an internship, the volunteer program offers opportunities to work with Moffitt staff members and cancer patients, provide compassionate care, and gain further insight into various healthcare careers.
12. FSU College of Medicine Summer Institute
Location: Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Cost: $1,650; Limited scholarships available only to Florida residents
Cohort Size: 20 students per session
Dates: Multiple 1-week sessions from June to July
Application Deadline: December 1 – January 15 (as per previous year)
Eligibility: High school rising juniors or seniors with a 3.3+ unweighted GPA
Although not technically an internship, the FSU College of Medicine Summer Institute is a residential program that provides an opportunity to explore what a career in the medical field entails. As a participant, you will engage with a variety of clinical settings, shadow physicians, and participate in workshops focused on vital signs and CPR training. The program also provides the chance to visit rural medicine and anatomy lab tours, attend seminars on medical ethics, and receive mentorship from medical students. Additionally, you will explore aspects of the medical school curriculum, learn about financial aid and the college admissions process, and gain insight into the experience of a medical student.
13. AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual. Florida students may apply
Cost: $850 program fee + $40 application fee; Financial aid offered
Cohort Size: 25 students
Dates: June 16 – 27 (as per previous year)
Application Deadline: December 9 – February 28 (as per previous year)
Eligibility: High school students (14+) with solid math or computer programming skills or experience with a healthcare project
During the AIMI Summer Research Internship, you will examine the application of AI in healthcare and learn how AI research in medicine contributes to promoting health equity and improved healthcare. For around two weeks, you will attend lectures that introduce you to the technical and clinical aspects of AI in healthcare. You’ll also participate in hands-on research projects and receive mentorship from Stanford Student Leads and researchers. The program also offers “Career Lunch and Learns” sessions during which you hear from guest speakers in academia, government, industry, and so on. By the end of the internship, you will receive a Certificate of Completion and may also have the opportunity to participate in an extended independent research internship.
Image source - Ladder Internships