Apply to the Future of Medicine Program! The Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society offers incoming high school juniors and seniors a chance to hear from medical professionals and look behind the scenes at medical facilities.

The 16-hour White Coat Week program lets students shadow a medical professional during their spring break. White Coat Week gives students a snapshot of the healthcare field.

The 56-hour in-person summer program lets students learn about different healthcare career paths while shadowing real medical professionals. Students in the in-person summer program will also obtain their two-year CPR certification.

Students taking the 16-hour virtual only program will hear presentations directly from those in the field. Learn about becoming a doctor, nurse, dentist, medical assistant, mental heath professional, pharmacist, and more. These two-hour Zoom meetings help students decide if medicine is for them.

Future of Medicine is free of charge and open for any student in the Sacramento region. Slots are limited and the application process is competitive. Application requirements include a letter of reference from a teacher, school transcript, and short essay. Students attending Title I schools will have special consideration. For more information, contact Sam Mello at SMello@ssvms.org.

Application Flyer

Application Requirements:

• Be an enrolled student in Sacramento, El Dorado, Yolo, and Placer counties.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Provide a high school or college transcript.
• Provide one letter of recommendation from a teacher.
• Write a brief, 400-600 word essay, OR submit a 1-minute video describing how this program will help you pursue your career goals.
• Guiding prompts for your essay or video:
• What life experiences have led to consider a career in medicine?
• Who were your role models? How have they influenced your goals and aspirations?
• Are there particular areas of medicine or specialties that interest you?
• What qualities do you think make a good healthcare provider? How would you offer the best care to your patients?
• Give an example of a time when you had to think outside the box to solve a problem.
• How have you effectively worked with a team to achieve an objective?
• What are your goals for the next five years? If you think medicine is your path, how do you plan to achieve it?

*A panel of physicians will review applications and make recommendations for admittance. Students will be notified within three weeks of application deadline if they are accepted.

If accepted, students are required to have medical clearance to enter hospitals and clinics, including up to date vaccinations

• If accepted to the program, provide immunization records that include updated MMR, Varicella, and Tdap vaccines.
• If accepted to the program, submit to a TB screening test (may require more than one test).
• Students will be asked to contact their doctor immediately to obtain required tests and records. Students missing certain vaccines will be required to get them prior to starting the program. Requirements subject to change per hospital and health system policies.
• Students over 18 will require a background check.

Questions? Contact Sam Mello at SMello@ssvms.org or call 916-452-2671