Summer at Stanford for Aspiring Doctors and Medical Researchers
by Hanan R.
While at Stanford during summer break, I got the sense that there were more high schoolers than adults roaming around campus. This was a real head-scratcher for me, but the process of assembling research for this article has been illuminating. The suite of summer programs that Stanford offers is huge. Because of the sheer number of opportunities and my own background as a medical trainee, I have chosen to focus on programs designed for students interested in clinical medicine and research.
Anatomy
Clinical Anatomy Summer Program: A weeklong, non-residential, in-person program that offers virtual modalities of learning anatomy, hands-on suturing and dissection workshops, and the opportunity to interact with a human cadaveric specimen.
Stanford Medicine Art & Anatomy Summer Program: A two-week summer program that includes a speaker series featuring professionals from different disciplines whose work marries art and medicine, as well as a mentor-guided component culminating in an anatomically inspired art piece that students present to a panel of artists, museum curators, and medical doctors. This program has both a virtual and in-person option.
Specialty-Specific Programs
Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills Summer Internship: A two-week, in-person course that gives students interested in procedural-heavy careers exposure to basic and advanced cardiothoracic surgery and technical skills such as knot tying, suturing, dissection, and more.
Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford: A six-week, in-person program that provides students the chance to work on a medically-oriented project with guidance from Stanford faculty, research fellows, and students. There is no tuition and preference is given to students from communities that are underrepresented in medicine.
Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience: A two-week program that takes students on a tour of the research occurring in the Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Students have the option to complete a collaborative project to cap off the experience. This program has both a virtual and in-person option.
Stanford Clinical Science, Technology, and Medicine Summer Internships: A two-week, in-person program hosted by the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine. Broadly, this opportunity introduces students to the workings of the healthcare system, including the role and potential of technology within it. The program concludes with a team-based capstone project. A unique feature of this program is getting to stay in on-campus housing.
Science, Technology, and Reconstructive Surgery Summer Internship Program: A seven-week, in-person program that brings students into the labs of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to learn basic lab techniques, contribute to ongoing research projects, and present their work. This internship is free of charge.
Miscellaneous Programs
Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine & Imaging Summer Research Internship: A two-week virtual program for students interested in the overlap of AI and medicine. There is no fee to participate.
Stanford Medicine Clinical Summer Internship (MEDCSI): A hands-on two-week program that encompasses performing bedside ultrasounds, dissections, suturing, splinting, and visits to the Stanford life flight station and free clinics. This program has both a virtual and in-person option.
The above list is by no means exhaustive, but I hope it gives you a sampling of the many opportunities that are available. The specific eligibility criteria, costs, and deadlines vary, so please make sure to access the links provided to learn more.
These experiences promise to be both educational and enjoyable, while also providing valuable insight into medical and research careers. They may even boost your college admission odds!