The Future of Medicine program strengthens and diversifies the Sacramento region’s healthcare workforce by facilitating job shadowing and preceptorship programs to introduce high school students to various careers in medicine from all levels of clinicians, to health administrators, technicians, pharmacists, public health managers, mental health providers and more. The program is a community collaboration with physician volunteers, local medical groups and hospitals, and school districts to enrich the education of local students and provides them with a solid foundation on which to build their healthcare careers.
The Future of Medicine Summer Program hosts local high school students in a comprehensive three-week, 56-hour program consisting of in-person and virtual education, extensive job-shadowing opportunities, and a tailored healthcare curriculum. The Future of Medicine is a hybrid program consisting of in-person and virtual sessions. Students have the option of only applying to only the virtual sessions in the application if they choose.
Future of Medicine Session I Monday, June 8 - Friday, June 26, 2026
Future of Medicine Session II Monday, July 6 - Friday, July 24, 2026
Spring Break White Coat Week. Apply Now! Application deadline January 18, 2026.
White Coat Week offers high school students a chance to see our local health system first-hand by shadowing local physicians during Spring Break. The program connects high school and college students to opportunities for job-shadowing, internships, mentorships, scholarships, and to an overall education in health careers.
White Coat Week Session I: Monday, March 16 - Thursday, March 19, 2026
White Coat Week Session II: Monday, March 30 - Thursday, April 2, 2026
*Please select the week that corresponds with your school's spring break dates.
Due to the calendar of some schools and the availability of physician hosts, we are not able to accomodate spring break sessions outside of the two weeks listed above.
The Future of Medicine program needs physician volunteers to serve as job-shadow hosts for White Coat Week. Contact Sam Mello (SMello@ssvms.org) if you are a physician or health care provider interested in volunteering.
The Future of Medicine serves students in the Sacramento region. Applicants are welcome from any high school in Sacramento, Yolo, El Dorado, and Placer Counties, but at least 50% of the participants must come from underserved schools.
For more information, email Sam Mello or call (916) 452-2671.