A variety of programs are available for high school students in the St. Louis area to learn more about health-care-related professions:
- Office of Diversity Program’s Saturday Scholars Program: Students from the St. Louis area high schools are selected by their science teachers to attend this five-week human anatomy course taught by first- and second-year medical students. Participants are also expected to prepare a PowerPoint presentation on a topic that they have researched utilizing the Internet, with the assistance of the Bernard Becker Medical Library staff. Each student is presented with a certificate for successfully completing the course during an awards luncheon on the last Saturday of the program.
- Office of Diversity Program’s Health Professions Fair: The Health Professions Fair provides a forum for high school students – primarily from the St. Louis public schools – to explore various health-related opportunities. Each year, approximately 150 students are selected by their high school teachers to participate in the fair. For more information, please contact the Office of Diversity Programs.
- BESt Summer Pharmacy Institute: To increase the number of students enrolling in pharmacy school in the St. Louis area, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Express Scripts and St. Louis College of Pharmacy (BESt) have created a joint program called the BESt Summer Pharmacy Institute. BESt is a four-week program that consists of math, science, and ACT/SAT preparation classes held at the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy, combined with on-site visits to Barnes-Jewish Hospital’s inpatient and outpatient pharmacies. Students receive a stipend after completing the program.
- BJC School Outreach and Youth Development: The mission of BJC School Outreach and Youth Development is to empower youth to make the best possible decisions regarding personal health, safety, and health care career exploration.
- Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience (CSMB) is a magnet health professions high school in the St. Louis Public School District, founded by a group of interested community members, including Dr. Will Ross, WashU Medicine. In collaboration with the School of Medicine, CSMB’s STEM-focused curriculum provides students with project-based learning experiences that will equip students with an academic foundation essential for post-secondary studies. CSMB is ranked eighth among the top Missouri schools, and at least 10% of CSMB’s graduates each year attend WashU. As part of CSMB’s partnership with the School of Medicine, high school students participate in a mentorship program facilitated by medical students.
- Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience (CSMB) Mentorship Program: Medical students from the School of Medicine act as mentors to students interested in medicine and healthcare specialties. Mentors assist with homework and high school guidance, as well as provide helpful tips regarding the college preparation and admission application process. These one-on-one relationships are meant to help students develop habits of success, the dispositions, mindsets, and behaviors that students need to make a successful transition from high school to college.
- Students and Teachers as Research Scientists (STARS): For students entering their junior or senior years of high school, STARS provides an opportunity to work in a laboratory setting with scientists at the Missouri Institute for Mental Health, Saint Louis University, WashU, or the host institution, the University of Missouri – St. Louis.
- Student National Medical Association (SNMA)’s Health Professions Recruitment and Education Program (HPREP): HPREP introduces high school and middle school students to basic anatomy and the medical field while providing an avenue for students to get excited about science and continuing education. The classes include cadaver demonstrations, demonstrations on the use of medical instruments, and interactive stations to get students thinking about their health. The classes also provide an avenue for medical students to offer college and career-development advice to high school students.
- YSP Summer Focus Program: The YSP Summer Focus Program provides outstanding high school students with funded research internships at WashU Medical Center. Students are selected through a competitive application process. To be eligible, students must attend a public school within the City of St. Louis and have successfully completed their junior year of high school. Students are awarded a $2,500 stipend for their participation.