Hospital internships offer high school students a chance to gain experience in a professional healthcare setting. These programs provide valuable exposure to diverse medical fields, from clinical practice to healthcare administration. As a high school student doing a hospital internship, you will develop teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills. 

Hospital internships are a chance to explore your interest in medicine, build practical knowledge, and network with medical professionals—experiences that can enhance your college applications and career prospects.

To help you navigate the various opportunities, we’ve curated a list of the top 10 summer hospital internships for high school students. These programs stand out for their comprehensive training and the opportunity to engage in meaningful projects. 

If you're looking for more great research programs, internships, and region-specific medical programs, check out this set of blogs!

1. LHI-AHA Summer Research Scholars Program

Location: Lillehei Heart Institute

Cost/Stipend: All scholars receive an hourly wage

Application Deadline: Applications are open between December 1 and February 15; check here for updates 

Dates: June 3 through August 9

Eligibility: Must be 16 years or older, a current high school junior or senior at the time of application, and a U.S. citizen.

The Lillehei Heart Institute’s Summer Research Scholarships allow students to explore cardiovascular research. This competitive program is designed for those who want to make a difference in medicine. As a Scholar, you will engage in basic or clinical research, working closely with a faculty mentor in a dedicated lab. The program’s multi-disciplinary approach exposes you to various facets of cardiovascular disease, from molecular biology to clinical applications. The program includes weekly seminars led by industry leaders and field trips that provide insights into clinical, industrial, and academic medicine. With mentorship from experienced faculty, you will learn about career opportunities in cardiovascular science.

2. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital High School Summer Internship Program

Location: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 

Stipend: $13/hour

Application Deadline: February 1

Dates: 8 weeks following the Orientation Day on June 3

Eligibility: Residents of the Cincinnati metropolitan area who will graduate from high school in the spring 

The High School Summer Internship Program at Cincinnati Children's Hospital offers an internship for graduating seniors interested in biomedical sciences. You will shadow mentors in pediatric specialties like Critical Care, Endocrinology, and Human Genetics. You will gain experience in clinical settings, including training with simulated pediatric patients at the SIM Center. Weekly professional development sessions will provide networking opportunities and insights into healthcare careers. The program emphasizes research and presentation skills, culminating in a graduation event where interns showcase their learning. 

3. Summer Internship Programs, Houston Methodist Hospital

Location: Houston Methodist Hospital, TX

Stipend: N/A for high school students

Application Deadline: Jan 31

Dates: May 27 – August 1

Eligibility: Applications are open to both high school and undergraduate students

The Houston Methodist Academic Institute’s internship offers high school students an experience in medical research. Interns collaborate with faculty in cancer treatment, regenerative medicine, neuroscience, and nanotechnology. You will design and execute a research project, presenting your findings in a competitive poster session at the program's conclusion. Weekly career development seminars and lectures by scientists enrich the learning experience. You will gain exposure to advanced tools and techniques, including imaging, bioinformatics, and molecular medicine. With mentorship from researchers and opportunities to publish your findings, this program provides valuable training for a future in medicine. 

4. Internships, Center for Youth and College Education, Cleveland Clinic

Location: Cleveland Clinic, OH

Stipend: $15 per hour

Application Deadline: January 31

Dates: June 2 through July 29

Eligibility: High school students who will be at least 15 years of age by June 1 and are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.

The Cleveland Clinic Youth Career Exploration internship programs provide learning experiences for high school students in Northeast Ohio. You will gain exposure to clinical, nonclinical, and advanced technology careers. You will work with professionals at Cleveland Clinic's main campus, regional hospitals, and administrative centers. Interns refine critical skills such as project management, digital literacy, academic writing, and professional communication, preparing them for college. Program pathways include nonclinical roles in healthcare administration, marketing, and design; and clinical areas such as nursing, pharmacy, and public health.

5. Research Training Opportunities: Child Health Research Internship, Children Hospital Colorado

Location: Children's Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado on the Anschutz Medical Campus.

Stipend: $4,400

Application Deadline: February 1

Dates: June 2 to August 1

Eligibility: Applicants must be high school seniors over the age of 18 by June 2 and be Colorado residents.

The Child Health Research Internship, hosted by the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital Colorado, offers a summer experience in pediatric research. You will work in faculty-led labs on projects related to child health, receiving training in research methods, data analysis, and scientific communication. The program includes a weekly lecture series and culminates in student presentations. Interns are encouraged to produce abstracts for submission to academic conferences, with travel and registration funding available for accepted presentations. 

6. Volunteer at The Johns Hopkins Hospital 

Location: The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD

Stipend: No stipend, but a $8 meal card is provided

Application Deadline: Not mentioned, apply here

Dates: Not mentioned

Eligibility: Applicants must be 18 or older; pre-placed volunteers must be 15 or older 

The Johns Hopkins Hospital Summer Junior Volunteer Program offers high school students a six-week opportunity to contribute to patient care and administrative roles in a medical setting. You will gain experience in patient services, navigation, and family-centered care, developing skills in communication and organization. Volunteers may assist with hospital tours, patient companionship, or supporting specialized programs like Child Life Services and ART Cart. Additionally, you will gain insight into careers in medicine, administration, and research. 

7. Weill Cornell Medicine Department of Pediatrics Summer Internship

Location: Weill Cornell Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, New York, NY

Stipend: A modest stipend is provided upon program completion (housing, food, and transportation not covered).

Program Dates: June 2 – August 8

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors.

Application Deadline: January 5

The Weill Cornell Medicine Department of Pediatrics Summer Internship provides high school students with experience in pediatric medicine and medical research. This summer program allows you to explore careers in healthcare through mentorship, clinical exposure, and research projects. Each year, the program accepts interns into 12 pediatric medicine specialties, including neonatal virus infections, pediatric epilepsy research, brain development in preterm infants, and chronic kidney disease in children. Internships span multiple focus areas, such as research, clinical work, patient education, and healthcare administration. You will receive guidance from faculty and staff, gaining insight into medical careers while working on child health and development projects.

8. Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS)

Location: Stanford University, CA (remote option available pending Stanford’s approval).

Cost/Stipend: No cost; need-based stipends of $3,000 are available. A $50 application fee applies but can be waived for families earning under $90,000.

Program Dates: June 16 – July 25

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors from Northern California aged 16 or older by the start date.

Application Deadline: February 24 

Each year, PIPS selects around 40 students to work on research projects in maternal and child health under the mentorship of Stanford faculty and research teams. In addition to research, you will attend workshops on research methodologies, career pathways in medicine and science, and leadership development. The program also includes college application support, covering topics like building a college list, completing applications, and understanding financial aid options. Participants are paired with Stanford undergraduate, graduate, and medical students, as well as residents and fellows. 

9. High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP), Office of Intramural Training & Education at the National Institutes of Health

Location: Bethesda, MD

Cost/Stipend: No cost. Stipends for summer interns are adjusted annually and are based on educational level. Check here to find exact stipends. 

Dates: July 7 to August 7

Application Deadline: January 8

Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; 17 years of age by June 1; cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; live in Washington DC, Maryland, or Virginia within 40 miles of the main NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland.

HiSTEP offers rising 12th graders from schools with significant participation in the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program an opportunity to explore careers in biomedical research and healthcare. Although not a traditional hospital internship, we have included this program because it’s a prestigious opportunity offered by the NIH. You will participate in lectures, research group visits, networking events, and group projects. The program also offers guidance on college applications, career readiness, leadership development, and resilience. Interns dedicate at least 21 hours weekly to the program, gaining insights into scientific fields and preparing for future academic and professional endeavors. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here. 

10. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp

Location: CDC Campus, Atlanta, Georgia

Cost/Stipend: No cost

Program Dates: June 23 – 27; July 21 – 25

Application Deadline: March 7

Eligibility: Applicants must be high school juniors or seniors and must be 16 years old by the first day of the camp to comply with CDC’s laboratory safety requirements.

The Centre for Disease Control Museum Disease Detective Camp is a competitive program for high school students interested in public health and epidemiology. Although this is also not a traditional hospital internship, we have included this program because the CDC offers it, making it worth considering. You will gain experience that replicates the work of CDC professionals, such as investigating outbreaks, conducting laboratory sessions, and analyzing data related to global and environmental health. The program introduces you to diverse career paths in public health. It includes activities like mock press conferences and chronic disease surveillance. With access to CDC scientists, the camp offers a rare insight into public health and disease prevention. To learn more about this program, check our out full review here. 

One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.

Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.