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High school students explore healthcare careers at Mini Medical University summer program

We are celebrating another successful summer of our Mini Medical University program, an immersive, hands-on initiative that brought 41 students from 10 local high schools into South Bend’s Memorial Hospital.

Guided by volunteer staff, including Mini Med alumni, students rotated through clinical departments including our NICU, Radiology, Music Therapy, MedFlight Operations, Respiratory Therapy, Pharmacy, ICU, Emergency Department and Surgery.
Several participants this summer, including Olivia Cooper, a student at Career Academy South Bend, agreed the weeklong program affirmed their desire to work in health care.

“I didn’t know there was music therapy or so many jobs in radiology. Now, I have an open mind and new ideas about what I want to do,” Cooper said.
Thanks to the generosity of our philanthropic partners, especially the Physicians Philanthropy Council, Mini Medical University continues to shape the future of medicine here in our community.
We’re grateful to every associate, volunteer and donor who made this year’s program possible.
Find out more about Mini Medical University and sign up to receive 2026 program updates: https://bit.ly/4lFnbgy
About Heidi Prescott

Heidi Prescott leads media relations and patient storytelling for the northern Indiana region of Beacon Health System, bringing more than 25 years of journalism experience to healthcare communications. She knows how to find the human angle in complex topics and connect those compelling narratives with readers. When steps away from the keyboard, you'll find her outside following butterflies, watching birds or just enjoying the sun.