Baptist Health Sciences University HealthCORE and Baptist Memorial Health Care recently hosted 120 middle and high school students for the 2026 HealthCORE STEM Summer Camp, a weeklong experience designed to introduce students to careers in health care and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).
Throughout the week, students engaged in a variety of hands-on activities led by Baptist University faculty, student doctors and community partners. Sessions included learning about clinical skills, such as suturing, injections and CPR; laboratory experiences in microbiology and DNA extraction; and simulation-based learning that introduced students to real-world medical scenarios.
Campers explored topics in public health, epidemiology and wellness while participating in team-based STEM challenges and interactive learning experiences across the Baptist University College of Osteopathic Medicine (BUCOM) and Baptist University campuses. Students also enjoyed field trips in the community.
“Through programs like HealthCORE, we are committed to providing early exposure and meaningful experiences that help students envision themselves in health care careers,” said Lilian Nyindodo, Ph.D., MPH, MS, assistant dean for first and second year osteopathic medical students at BUCOM and chair of Baptist University HealthCORE. “This camp is about building confidence, curiosity and a clear pathway into health professions.”
Students remained highly engaged throughout the week, particularly during hands-on activities. Many participants highlighted experiences, such as suturing, dissections and clinical simulations, as their favorite parts of the camp.
“My favorite activity was dissecting the sheep eye,” one camper shared. “The hands-on experience helped me learn about a lot of things.”
In addition to academic enrichment, the camp emphasized mentorship and community building. Camp counselors and student volunteers played a key role in supporting participants and creating a welcoming environment.
“The camp counselors were very nice and friendly,” noted another camper. “Making friends and learning more about health care was the best part.”
Isaiah Watkins, a former HealthCORE participant who returned this year as a camp counselor and is currently majoring in Biomedical Sciences Engineering at Mississippi State University, reflected on the program’s lasting impact: “I started as a camper and had the opportunity to return as a counselor, which means a lot to me. Being able to give back to a program that positively impacted me and to watch students experience that same excitement and inspiration is incredibly rewarding.”
Student Doctor Fritz Valerio, a BUCOM medical student and HealthCORE coordinator, also reflected on his experience working with campers: “Working with middle and high school students during HealthCORE STEM Summer Camp was a rewarding experience. Their enthusiasm and curiosity reminded me why I chose a career in health care and made the week especially meaningful.”
Professor Ann Marie Wallace Peoples, MSPH, who helped lead the program, emphasized the importance of mentorship in shaping students’ futures. Peoples serves as a system senior coordinator of community involvement and special events for Baptist Memorial.
“By combining hands-on learning with mentorship, we are helping students see what is possible for their future and giving them the tools to pursue those goals,” Peoples said.
HealthCORE STEM Summer Camp is part of Baptist Memorial’s broader community outreach initiative aimed at inspiring the next generation of health care professionals and expanding access to career pathways in medicine and science.
To learn more about the Baptist University HealthCORE Program, please visit https://www.baptistu.edu/BaptistUHealthCORE.
