Ready to explore a future in medicine? 

Loma Linda University School of Medicine has a Future Doctors Program designed for high school students enrolled in local Adventist Academies, the immersive experience provides hands-on learning and a real-world look at the path to becoming a physician.

Learn, practice, and prepare for a future in medicine

  • Engage in hands-on activities like suturing and medical simulations.
  • Learn directly from healthcare professionals through interactive workshops.
  • Explore career pathways in medicine
  • Build connections with peers who share their passion for making a difference.
Photo of Loma Linda University Centennial Complx

What You Can Expect to Learn and Experience

  • Participants will learn and practice foundational medical skills, including suturing, with live feedback from experienced surgeons.
  • Participants will gain hands-on experience in drawing blood and learn how to locate veins that are difficult to access.
  • The program provides insight into strategies to strengthen future medical school applications.
  • Training includes proper surgical scrubbing techniques and an introduction to sterility and asepsis.
  • Participants will explore the human side of medicine, developing compassion and a deeper understanding of patients’ experiences.
  • Sessions will focus on improving memory and strengthening learning skills for academic success.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Be a current Adventist high school academy student
  • Have an interest in a career in medicine
  • Maintain a strong academic record (minimum 3.0 GPA)
  • Provide a recommendation from a teacher or mentor
  • Be available for the full program duration (July 6-10)

Schedule at a Glance

  • Day 1: Identity, mindset and purpose alignment
  • Day 2: Clinical exposure and career exploration
  • Day 3: Hands-on skills and leadership development
  • Day 4: Mentorship, strategy and academic roadmap
  • Day 5: Capstone, confidence and graduation ceremony

Day 1 – Identity, Mindset & Purpose Alignment

  • 8:30–9:00 a.m.: Registration, welcome breakfast and networking icebreaker
  • 9:00–9:30 a.m.: Overview about Loma Linda University School of Medicine
  • 9:30–10:45 a.m.: Workshop: Master your mindset — brain-based learning and growth psychology
  • 10:45–11:00 a.m.: Break
  • 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: Emotional intelligence lab and learning how to learn workshop
  • 12:00–1:00 p.m.: Lunch and mentor table introductions
  • 1:00–2:30 p.m.: Memory training for academic excellence (medical learning techniques)
  • 2:30–3:30 p.m.: Small group reflection and journaling
  • 3:30–4:00 p.m.: Daily debrief and leadership challenge assignment

Day 2 – Clinical Exposure & Career Exploration

  • 8:30–9:00 a.m.: Morning devotional and leadership reflection
  • 9:00–10:30 a.m.: Hospital orientation and clinical expectations
  • 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: Hospital-based rotations (simulation/observation experience)
  • 12:00–1:00 p.m.: Lunch with resident physicians
  • 1:00–2:30 p.m.: Medical school admission in reverse: The five M’s
  • 2:30–3:30 p.m.: Venipuncture lab
  • 3:30–4:00 p.m.: Reflection and journal submission

Day 3 – Hands-On Skills & Leadership Development

  • 8:30–9:00 a.m.: Leadership warm-up and confidence drill
  • 9:00–10:30 a.m.: Hospital orientation and clinical expectations
  • 10:30–10:45 a.m.: Break
  • 10:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: Scrub for surgery — fracture reduction
  • 12:00–1:00 p.m.: Lunch and networking challenge
  • 1:00–2:30 p.m.: Scrub for surgery — fracture reduction
  • 2:30–3:30 p.m.: Scrub for surgery — fracture reduction
  • 3:30–4:00 p.m.: Debrief and mentor matching session

Day 4 – Mentorship, Strategy & Academic Roadmap

  • 8:30–9:00 a.m.: Morning reflection and networking exercise
  • 9:00–10:30 a.m.: I Got Into Medical School activity
  • 10:30–11:30 a.m.: I Got Into Medical School activity
  • 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: I Got Into Medical School activity
  • 12:00–1:00 p.m.: Lunch
  • 1:00–2:00 p.m.: I Got Into Medical School activity
  • 2:00–3:00 p.m.: AI capstone project
  • 3:00–4:00 p.m.: AI capstone project

Day 5 – Capstone, Confidence & Graduation Ceremony

  • 8:30–9:00 a.m.: Gratitude and reflection circle
  • 9:00–11:00 a.m.: Simulation experience at Centennial
  • 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: Post-program exam and evaluation
  • 12:00–1:00 p.m.: Parent session: Supporting Your Future Health Leader/medical student panel and celebration lunch
  • 1:00–2:30 p.m.: AI capstone presentation
  • 2:30–3:00 p.m.: Graduation/dean’s remarks and group photo

Schedule subject to change.