15 Medical Programs for High School Students in Oregon
If you are a high school student interested in medicine, participating in a structured program can help you explore the field beyond what is typically covered in school. Medical programs allow you to learn about biomedical research, patient care, public health, and healthcare careers through workshops, research experiences, clinical exposure, and mentorship. These experiences can help you better understand the different paths within medicine while developing a stronger foundation in the life sciences.
Why should you attend a program in Oregon?
Oregon is home to universities, hospitals, and healthcare organizations that offer a range of medical opportunities for high school students. Programs hosted by institutions such as Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Adventist Health, and Salem Health allow students to explore medicine through research placements, healthcare workshops, volunteer experiences, and career-focused learning. These opportunities can be valuable whether you are interested in clinical medicine, biomedical research, dentistry, public health, or other healthcare-related fields.
In this blog, we’ve gathered 15 medical programs for high school students in Oregon to explore.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
1. OHSU Ted R. Lilley CURE Program
Location: OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, Portland, OR
Stipend: $4,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: January 8
Eligibility: Oregon high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (16+) with a minimum 3.0 GPA
The Ted R. Lilley CURE Program is an eight-week medical internship where high school students in Oregon engage in hands-on cancer research alongside faculty mentors at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. You work full-time in professional laboratory settings, contributing to projects ranging from molecular biology to clinical data analysis. The curriculum includes weekly seminars on scientific ethics, health disparities, and professional development to prepare students for medical careers. Beyond the lab, you’ll receive guidance on college applications and scientific communication through peer networking sessions. The program concludes with a formal poster symposium where you present your original research findings to the OHSU community.
2. Veritas AI's AI+Medicine
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Veritas AI’s AI+Medicine program introduces high school students to the intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare through structured, project-based learning. You explore how machine learning models are applied in areas like diagnostics, medical imaging, and patient data analysis. The program includes mentorship from individuals with experience in AI or medicine, guiding you through the development of a research or application-focused project. You also engage with core concepts such as data preprocessing, model evaluation, and ethical considerations in healthcare technology. By the end, you produce a tangible output that reflects how computational methods can be used to approach medical problems.
3. NEOAHEC MedQuest Camps
Location: Crane & Burns (Frontiers), OR | La Grande (Rural), OR
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 15 students (Frontiers) | 45 students (Rural)
Dates: July 7 – 11 (Frontiers) | June 15 – 20 (Rural)
Application Deadline: April 20 (Frontiers) | April 1 (Rural)
Eligibility: Oregon high school students
The Frontier and Rural MedQuest camps are designed to expose high school students in Oregon to the realities of healthcare in rural communities. Both programs are largely the same, but take place in different communities. You’ll participate in professional job shadowing rotations at local medical centers, observing specialties such as surgery, nursing, and physical therapy. The program includes hands-on clinical skills workshops where you learn to suture, read X-rays, and perform basic physical exams. Mentorship is a core component, with medical students and local practitioners providing guidance on the academic path to a healthcare degree.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program — Medicine Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program allows high school students to conduct individualized research in medical and health-related fields under the guidance of a mentor. You work through the research process step by step, beginning with topic selection and literature review, and progressing toward a structured research paper. The program emphasizes critical reading of scientific studies, hypothesis development, and analytical writing. Throughout the experience, you receive feedback on your methodology and argumentation, helping you refine both your research and communication skills. It is designed to simulate an early-stage research experience within a guided environment.
5. OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Internship
Location: OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Portland, OR
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: April 6
Eligibility: Oregon high schoolers (16+)
This specialized internship focuses on cardiology, including the treatment and prevention of heart disease. You’ll be placed within the OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Institute, where you’ll observe clinical procedures and assist with cardiovascular research projects. The curriculum covers the anatomy of the heart, common cardiac pathologies, and the lifestyle factors that influence cardiovascular health. You work with cardiologists and researchers to understand how medical innovations move from the lab to the patient’s bedside. By the end of the program, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the field and its potential career paths.
6. Saturday Academy ASE Internships
Location: Various research sites in Oregon
Stipend: $1,500, $1,000, or $500, depending on internship hours
Acceptance rate/cohort size: <100 internships annually
Dates: 8 – 10 weeks from June to August
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Apprenticeships in Science and Engineering (ASE) program places high school students in professional STEM environments for a full-time summer internship. You might work directly with doctors, medical researchers, and bioengineers on active projects in OHSU labs or legacy healthcare systems. The program includes professional development days where you learn technical writing, networking, and presentation skills. Throughout the internship, you’ll be treated as professional staff, giving you a realistic understanding of the medical workforce. The experience culminates in a professional symposium where you present your technical projects to peers and mentors.
7. Cascades East MedStars Bend
Location: Central Oregon Community College, Bend, OR
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20 students
Dates: July 12 – 16
Application Deadline: Applications open in February
Eligibility: High school juniors in the Cascades East region
MedStars is a five-day medical camp designed to introduce high school students in Oregon to the wide array of career paths available in the healthcare industry. You’ll stay in the COCC dorms, simulating the college experience while attending daily workshops in state-of-the-art medical labs. Activities include hands-on training in Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, suturing, and emergency bleeding control. You’ll also tour St. Charles Medical Center to engage with caregivers and observe different hospital departments in action. The program emphasizes building a professional network and understanding the educational steps required for medical licensure in Oregon.
8. UCEDD Summer Internship Program
Location: Various Institute on Development and Disability centers, OR
Stipend: Provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Mid-June – early-August
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: High school and college students (16+) from Oregon or southwest Washington
The OHSU University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) provides a medical internship for students interested in clinical practice and healthcare advocacy. You’ll be matched with OHSU faculty to work on projects that support people with disabilities, gaining experience in both clinical and community settings. The program requires a commitment of 24 hours per week, involving both independent research and direct observation of patient care. You also participate in weekly seminars that focus on health equity, neurodiversity, and the intersection of disability and medicine. By the end of the summer, you’ll develop a capstone project that highlights your contributions to OHSU’s healthcare mission.
9. Adventist Health Student Healthcare Leaders
Location: Adventist Health Portland, Portland, OR
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Weekly sessions during the academic year
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: High school students
The Student Healthcare Leaders program is an after-school initiative that provides a comprehensive overview of how a major hospital operates. You attend weekly sessions featuring rotating tours of clinical departments such as the ER, cardiology, and oncology. Each session includes a panel discussion where healthcare professionals share their personal journeys and daily clinical challenges. You also participate in interactive skill-building activities, including training in basic medical terminology and professional ethics. The program focuses on removing barriers to healthcare careers by providing direct access to medical mentors and networking opportunities.
10. OHSU Dental Explorers
Location: OHSU School of Dentistry, Portland, OR
Cost: $70 registration fee if accepted
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 50 students
Dates: Monthly sessions
Application Deadline: Applications open in early October
Eligibility: High school and college students
Dental Explorers is a medical program that introduces high school students to the various specialties in dentistry and oral surgery. You meet monthly to engage in hands-on laboratory activities, such as taking dental impressions and practicing suturing techniques on models. The curriculum includes lectures from OHSU dental faculty and current students about the dental school application process and clinical requirements. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the biological sciences underpinning dental medicine and the technologies used in modern oral healthcare. This program provides a structured environment for students to build a portfolio of experience for future applications to medical or dental school.
11. OHSU Partnership for Scientific Inquiry (PSI)
Location: Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
Cost/Stipend: None; need-based scholarships are available for the summer internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Maximum 50 slots
Dates: January 14 – May 27 (course); June – August (optional internship)
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (16+ for the internship) from Oregon and the Portland metro community
PSI is a medical program that begins with a 16-week lecture series in which high school students in Oregon learn the fundamentals of medical research and experimental design from OHSU faculty. Top-performing students in the lecture phase are then selected for an intensive summer research placement in an OHSU biomedical lab. During the summer, you work under a research mentor to conduct experiments and analyze data on human health and disease. The program emphasizes critical thinking and the ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to both experts and lay audiences. You conclude your experience by presenting a research poster at OHSU’s annual scientific symposium.
12. Salem Health High School Volunteers
Location: Salem Health, Salem/West Valley, OR
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school students (14+)
Through the Salem Health High School Volunteers program, you gain exposure to a clinical environment by supporting non-medical operations within a hospital setting in Oregon. Your responsibilities will focus on patient-facing tasks, including providing directions, assisting with check-ins, and contributing to overall customer service workflows. The program requires you to follow healthcare protocols, including patient confidentiality standards and safety procedures, which introduces you to the operational side of medical settings. You also complete training modules and work alongside a designated trainer who helps you understand your role and responsibilities. Over time, you can build communication skills and learn how healthcare teams coordinate in a fast-paced environment.
13. Sunnyside Medical Center Volunteer Services
Location: Sunnyside Medical Center, Clackamas, OR
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Volunteers must be 16+
Sunnyside Medical Center’s volunteer services program provides high school students in Oregon with opportunities to observe and support daily hospital operations. You may assist in areas such as patient transport, front desk coordination, or surgical unit support, depending on your placement. The program exposes you to different departments within a medical setting, helping you understand how various roles contribute to patient care. You engage with patients, staff, and visitors, enhancing your interpersonal and communication skills within a healthcare setting. Additionally, you'll gain insight into the operations of a large medical facility and understand the expectations for support staff.
14. PeaceHealth Volunteer Program
Location: Sacred Heart, Springfield, OR/Peace Harbor, Florence, OR
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to all
The PeaceHealth Volunteer Program introduces volunteers to hospice and community-based care, with a focus on patient support and emotional presence. You can take on roles such as patient visiting, respite care support, administrative assistance, or participation in grief support programs like Courageous Kids. The experience centers on communication, empathy, and understanding patient needs in non-clinical contexts. You also receive training to interact appropriately with patients, families, and healthcare teams. Some roles involve structured responsibilities, such as scheduling or program support, while others focus on companionship and engagement.
15. Westside Medical Center Volunteer Services
Location: Westside Medical Center, Hillsboro, OR
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Volunteers must be 16+
At Westside Medical Center, high school students can participate in a volunteer program that supports hospital operations through a variety of service roles. You might assist with patient navigation, provide logistical support in inpatient units, or help staff manage day-to-day coordination tasks. The program exposes you to a modern healthcare facility designed with environmental and operational efficiency in mind, offering insight into hospital structure. Through regular shifts, you develop consistency, communication skills, and familiarity with healthcare protocols. This medical program in Oregon focuses on practical engagement rather than clinical training.