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Pre-College Programs

Medical Exploration

Explorations in Pathology (Full Day Intensive)

Residential only  |  11th- 12th graders  |  TBD

Pathology allows you to explore the human body from the inside out! From diagnosing cancer and learning about autopsies, to running tests in the lab, join the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and work side by side with residents and attending physicians. In this program, you will gain hands on experience with laboratory processes, organ dissection sessions, independent coursework, and receive mentoring by a department physician.

Course Outline

Students will participate in an independent project with a faculty mentor in pathology and laboratory medicine culminating in a video and poster presentation. Students may participate in fieldtrips to off-site locations to enhance their understanding of pathology.

Anatomic Pathology (AP): AP focuses on the diagnosis and study of disease through macroscopic and microscopic examination of tissue specimens. Subspecialty areas of AP include surgical pathology, cytopathology, neuropathology and autopsy/forensic pathology. Students in the program will be introduced to a variety of subspecialties within AP through didactic lectures, case-based presentations, hands-on examination of formalin- preserved human organs, and ‘at-the-microscope’ teaching sessions examining glass slides of normal tissue and disease processes.

Clinical Pathology/Laboratory Medicine (CP/LM): Laboratory divisions of CP/LM include hematopathology, clinical chemistry and toxicology, microbiology, molecular diagnostics, cytogenetics, and blood bank (transfusion medicine). Students will be introduced to a variety of sub-specialties within CP/LM through didactic lectures, case-based presentations, tours of CP/LM laboratories within Strong Memorial Hospital, and hands-on simulations.

Additional Information

Outline and structure are subject to change at the discretion of the professors.

Enrollment is limited to 10 students; selection to the program is competitive.

Instructors

Instructors and mentors are from Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center Faculty:

  • Jennifer Findeis-Hosey, MD (Course Director)
  • Linda Callahan, MD
  • Aaron Huber, DO
  • Bruce Smoller, MD
  • Bradley Turner, MD, MPH, MHA
  • Diana Agostini-Vulaj, DO

Mini Medical School (Full Day Intensive)

Residential only  |  11th- 12th graders  |  July 7 – 25, 2025  

This unique and selective program is open to students interested in pursuing careers in medicine. Through rigorous academic immersion, you will gain firsthand experience with practical hands-on intervention, research, public health, and service learning. Do you have what it takes to find out what medical school is all about?

Course Outline

Anatomy and Physiology: Introduce students to anatomy through models and human organs (plastinated and embalmed organs). Topics include anatomy and physiology of the heart, and respiratory, muscular, and nervous systems.

Neuroscience and Neurology: Designed to give students an understanding of the basic structure and function of the brain. Students will gain insight into the brain through anatomic dissections, hands-on lab activities, and immersive clinical experiences with experts in the field. Students will learn a range of things from basic neuroscience to the pathophysiology of neurological and psychological disorders.

Public Health: Designed to introduce students to public health history, concepts, and contemporary issues, students will research a current public health topic and present at a culmination poster session. Topics may include disparities (health and wealth, social justice), current issues in public health (lead poisoning, tobacco, obesity, clean water/air, health systems/reforms), and global health issues (globalization and development, maternal/child health).

Other Activities: Outside of the classroom, student’s days are full of hands-on opportunities to learn more about medicine. Opportunities vary year to year, but have previously included: Standardized Patient Session, Learning to Take Vital Signs, NARCAN Training, Suture Session, Taping and Casting, Simulation Exercises (Cardiac, OB/GYN, Intubations, Phlebotomy), ED Rotation, shadowing a Physician, Wilderness Medicine, Stop the Bleed Training, Ambulance Rides, and an optional CPR Training.

Additional Information

Outline and structure are subject to change at the discretion of the professors and medical professionals who instruct various aspects of the course.

Enrollment is limited to 12 students; selection for this program is competitive.

Instructors

Instructors are University of Rochester Medical Center Faculty from Public Health, Neurology and Neuroscience, and Anesthesiology.

 

What’s up Doc: Exploring the Pre-Med Experience

9-12th graders  |  Session A  | 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

What is it like to be a physician? What does it take to become a doctor? Meet with practicing physicians, medical students, and other experts. Learn about the human body, explore hands-on medical procedures and medical equipment, simulate patient encounters, examine pathological specimens and anatomical organ models, and discuss the role of the physician
through unique specialty-themed days. Engage with other interested students through team-centered and problem-based activities. Learn what it takes academically to prepare for
medical school, and how to decide if medicine is the right path for you.

Instructors: University of Rochester Medical Center Faculty and Students

Bones, Muscles, Joints and Movement

9-12th graders | Session A | 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Through movement, poetry, and numerous hands-on activities, you will identify and explore the function of muscles and bones in your body. No dry memorization here; you will plunge into the subject of anatomy by putting those bones and muscles into action. Specially designed kinesthetic activities will embody these lessons. This class is perfect for you if you’re interested in health sciences, biology, kinesiology, physical therapy, dance, or massage therapy.

Instructor: Anne Wilcox, Faculty, Program of Dance and Movement

Mysteries of the Human Mind

9-12th graders | Session B | 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Have you ever wondered how humans have the propensity to behave in ways that are astonishing, confusing, violent, or outside of the norm? How are humans capable of performing egregious acts toward others? Is déjà vu real? How do humans sense when someone they’re close to is in danger? If you’ve ever wondered about these things, then this might be the right class for you. Contemporary psychology includes the study of yet-unsolved mysteries of the mind and human behavior. Some of these mysteries include historic examples of mass hysteria – such as whole towns that took to dancing in the streets for days until they passed out or died. Other human mysteries include the experience of phantom limbs, déjà vu, and ‘twin-tuition.’ Despite the research efforts in fields of study including neuroscience, forensic psychology, and developmental, abnormal, and social psychology, researchers and society as a whole still grapples with understanding those things we categorize as ‘deviance’ from normal. The human mind is, and perhaps always will be, a mystery in many ways.

We will use a combination of discussion, in-class social experiments, games, videos, guest speakers, and direct teaching. Your curiosity has no limit in this class – discussion and questions are welcomed. We’ll start the day with ‘Fun Facts’ you Googled about a topic from the previous day (that’s your only homework!). Be open to surprises from your instructor that may include a social experiment used on you and your classmates.

Instructor: Jennifer Wick, PhD  Warner School of Education

Healthy Planet, Healthy Lives: Uncovering the Connections Between Environment and Health

9-12th graders | Session B | 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Explore the dynamic relationship between our environment and health in this engaging one-week workshop. From the basics of epidemiology and toxicology to pressing issues like water quality, air pollution, and climate change, we’ll delve into the critical factors shaping our well-being. Through lectures, interactive discussions, and hands-on activities, you’ll gain insights into how these elements intertwine, and develop innovative approaches to safeguarding our planet and ourselves. Join us on this transformative journey towards a healthier, more sustainable future!

Instructors: Environmental Medicine Faculty

Careers in Oral Health

9-12th graders  |  Session B  | 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.  |  Registration Closed

What is it like to be a dentist or a dental specialist such as an orthodontist, pediatric dentist, prosthodontist, periodontist, or oral surgeon? This course will explore hands-on dental procedures, examine the latest equipment, and take a close look at the skills and educational requirements necessary to become an oral health professional. Students will learn firsthand how to conduct an oral examination and to make diagnostic plaster models of teeth for use in treatment planning. Students will meet with dentists who are pursuing careers as faculty in educational programs and with researchers working in the basic sciences or translational arenas. Dental specialists working in diverse and emerging areas of treatment, including dental implants and cosmetic dentistry, will interact with the students. There will be site visits taken to the ambulatory care dental unit and the Center for Oral Biology at the University’s Medical Center. The course will focus on the changing field of oral health and the high demands for dentists to meet the oral health care needs of local, national, and international patient populations.

Instructor: Pamela Booth, instructor, Eastman Institute for Oral Health

Careers in Nursing

9-12th graders  |  Session B | 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Nursing is the largest workforce in the health care setting. The roles that nurses fulfill in the hospital, public health, research, and advanced practice are vital to the success of a patient’s health.

This course will show you what it takes to be a nurse. With engaging discussions and interactive exercises, you will learn about the profession’s foundations and specialties, the history and future of nursing, and potential careers that might interest you.

Whether you are interested in clinical research or patient care, come explore if nursing is for you.

Instructor: Dee Dee Rutigliano, RN, faculty, School of Nursing

Biomedical Technology: Engineer, Doctor, or Both?

9-12th graders  |  Session B |  8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

This course teaches you the underlying physiology of crucial human organ systems and the process of recording the biological signals that dictate how they perform. You will learn about vital signs like blood pressure, heart rate, and electrical signals produced by the muscles and heart. You will also learn to interpret and integrate these signals with biological processes and diseases.

Instructor: Veena Ganeshan, Faculty,  Department of Biomedical Engineering