BUILDING THE FUTURE OF MEDICINE
Offering high school students a unique opportunity to explore the diverse and rewarding field of medicine. Designed for aspiring healthcare professionals, this immersive experience provides hands-on exposure to clinical skills and insight into the daily realities of patient care.
Program Goals
DATE: June 8-12
LOCATIONS:
Advocate Sherman Hospital, Elgin, IL
Prime St Joseph Hospital, Elgin, IL
Various medical offices
Academic Excellence
- Attend mini-lectures presented by experienced physicians and healthcare educators on essential topics in contemporary medicine.
- Participate in guided clinical rotations and observations across a range of medical specialties, offering real-world glimpses into various career pathways in healthcare.
Guided mentorship
- Receive personalized guidance and admissions advice from current college pre-med students and medical students, who will share their own journeys, offer tips on navigating the college and medical school application processes, and provide mentorship to help participants plan their future steps in the health professions..
Hands on workshops
- Receive certified CPR training and instruction in basic life support techniques.
- Take part in interactive workshops, simulations, and skill-building sessions to develop practical competencies and deepen understanding of medical practice.
The Path to Excellence
This program not only sparks curiosity and builds confidence but also connects students with relatable near-peer mentors who can demystify the admissions landscape and inspire informed decision-making about careers in medicine. Join us for an inspiring week of discovery, hands-on learning, mentorship, and professional exploration.
01
Program Eligibility
- Minimum 3.3 cumulative weighted GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- Successful completion of Biology and Chemistry courses.
- Honors or AP Science track preferred
- Open to rising High school juniors and seniors
04 Agenda
-
Clinical shadowing — Participants observe and shadow physicians in various medical specialties, including (but not limited to) internal medicine, surgery, orthopedics, OB/GYN, emergency medicine, pathology, pediatrics, oncology, and others.
-
Mini overview lectures — Short presentations and mini-lectures delivered by experienced physicians and healthcare educators covering essential and contemporary topics in medicine.
-
Talks from college/medical students — Sessions featuring current college students and medical students who share insights and advice on the medical school application process, admissions tips, and their experiences.
-
Simulator lab — Participation in simulation-based training to practice medical scenarios and procedures in a controlled, realistic environment.
-
Hands-on workstations — Interactive practical sessions at workstations, including activities such as working with robotic systems (e.g., robotic surgery simulation), suturing techniques, and other procedural skills.
-
CPR class and certification — A dedicated CPR training session, culminating in participants becoming CPR certified by the end of the program.
These elements combine didactic (lectures/talks), observational (shadowing), and experiential (hands-on/simulations/certification) learning to give high school students a comprehensive introduction to medicine.
03
Clinical Selection
The final stage involves an interview with medical faculty. Northern Illinois Medical Scholars Program is intentionally limited to a maximum of 8 students.
This small cohort size allows for meaningful one-on-one interactions with physicians, dedicated attention during shadowing rotations, hands-on activities, and deeper engagement in lectures and simulations.
Program Leadership
Irene Wu, MD, FACS
General Surgery
Program Director, Medical Scholars Program
Dr. Wu oversees the overall design and academic quality of the Medical Scholars Program. She is passionate about mentoring high school students who are curious about medicine and helping them understand what a career in healthcare really looks like.
Dr. Wu, MD, FACS is a board-certified general surgeon who has been serving the Elgin community since 2008. She earned her medical degree from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in 2002. Dr. Wu is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery in General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care. She maintains an independent private practice through Advanced Surgery & Wellness, PLLC in Elgin, Illinois, where she also serves as President. She is currently President of the Medical Staff at Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital Elgin and a member of the Medical Executive Committee at Advocate Sherman Hospital. She is a past Chair of the Department of Surgery.
Jamilah Okoe, MD
Obstetrics-Gynecology
Clinical Education Lead
Dr. Okoe coordinates the hands-on clinical experiences and workshops for participants. She focuses on creating a supportive learning environment where students can build confidence, ask questions, and explore different paths within medicine.
Aarthi Vijaykumar, MD, MSHQS, CPE, FASN
Nephrology
Mentorship & Admissions Advisor
Dr. Vijaykumar leads the mentorship and admissions advising portion of the program. She works closely with students to discuss college and medical school preparation, offering guidance on coursework, activities, and long-term planning.
Dr. Vijaykumar is a board-certified internist and nephrologist committed to improving healthcare quality. She earned her medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University, completed her Internal Medicine residency and Nephrology fellowship at Rush University Medical Center, and holds a Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety from Thomas Jefferson University. She also holds the Certified Physician Executive (CPE) credential from the American Association for Physician Leadership (AAPL).
Dr. Vijaykumar has held several physician leadership roles within community healthcare. She previously served as Chair of the Department of Medicine at Advocate Sherman Hospital and currently serves as a board member of Advocate Physician Partners–PHO/ACO.
She is active in organized medicine and nephrology initiatives, serving on the Executive Committee of the National Kidney Foundation Illinois Professional Advisory Board, participating in the American Society of Nephrology Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) Workgroup, contributing to the Acute Disease Quality Initiative (ADQI) XXXV Consensus group , and serving on the Illinois State Medical Society Council on Economics and Women in Medicine Committee.
Dr. Vijaykumar is passionate about improving care delivery in community healthcare through team-based approaches and system-level solutions.