Youth Education & Scholarships

Area students who are interested in a health career can take advantage of North Mississippi Medical Center's many programs and scholarship opportunities.

Summer Health Academy

Students who are interested in pursuing a health career and have completed the seventh or eighth grade are eligible for NMMC's Summer Health Academy. Sessions meet from 8 a.m. until noon June 3-7, 2019, at HealthWorks!

Summer Health Academy introduces students to various careers in health care while reinforcing positive lifestyle choices. Participants spend four hours each day with nurses and other health care professionals who are eager to share their expertise and enthusiasm. Because enrollment is limited, students are able to interact one-on-one with nurses, radiologic technologists, physical therapists and other health care staff.

Twenty-five students will be selected on the basis of academic achievement, community service and desire to enter a health profession. The deadline is April 9 to submit an application, transcripts and two teacher reference forms.

The fee for Summer Health Academy is $50, which includes educational materials and snacks.

For more information, call (662) 377-3131 or 1-800-THE DESK (1-800-843-3375). Students who are selected to participate will be notified by April 30.

Summer Health Academy Application

Teacher Reference Form

Student Volunteer Program

The NMMC Volunteer Services Department sponsors a summer volunteer program for students who may be interested in pursuing a career in health care or who simply would like to make a difference in someone's life.

Eligible students must be 15 by June 1 of that year. Although no student can administer any form of direct patient care, they can help with comfort measures for patients and also see how the hospital works.

Two sessions will be offered: May 27-June 21 (orientation on May 23) and July 1-26 (orientation on June 26).

Application deadline is March 15. Applications are available at area school guidance offices, from the NMMC Volunteer Services Department or at the links below. Each student will need to have three teachers submit a reference form.

Student Volunteer Application

Teacher Reference Form

Applicants will be interviewed and notified of selection. Students selected for the program will be assigned specific work hours and expected to keep their schedule with the exception of illness or vacation.

For more information about the summer volunteer program, call (662) 377-3131 or 1-800-THE DESK (1-800-843-3375).

Dual Enrollment Program

Sponsored by Northeast Mississippi Community College and NMMC, and funded by the Toyota Education Endowment, this dual enrollment course involves weekly online instruction combined with several days onsite at NMMC for job shadowing, lecture and mentoring. The program is limited to juniors and seniors from Lee, Pontotoc and Union counties. Students receive academic credit from their high school and NEMCC. For more information, contact Kristy Luse at the CREATE Foundation at (662) 844-8989 or kristy@createfoundation.com.

Job Shadowing

Interested in a career in health care? NMMC offers job shadowing in various fields. You will have the opportunity to observe firsthand what a career in health care is like and gain a better understanding of your own interests and how they fit into your future career path.

Participants must be at least 16 years of age and submit all required documentation along with the shadowing application to the Student Experience Navigator at capolson@nmhs.net.

Job Shadowing Application

All applications must be submitted by the 20th of the month prior to desired shadowing date. Each applicant may shadow up to 12 hours per calendar year. Every effort will be made to place you according to your requested department, dates and times. You will be notified of any additional requirements needed before the start of the experience.

Mentorship Academy

Mentorship Academy meets from 2-4 p.m. Tuesdays and from 2-5:30 p.m. Thursdays for six weeks, February 19-April 4, 2019. Tuesdays will be class lecture, and Thursdays will feature guest speakers, life skills and job shadowing. Participants will be provided a uniform.

Interested students should apply before January 11, 2019, and must be 18 before May 31, 2019.

Program details

Mentorship Academy application

Applicants must submit an application, 250-word essay, two letters of recommendation and high school transcript.

Participants who successfully complete NMMC’s Mentorship Academy will receive certified nursing assistant training this summer. This training will prepare participants for the certification examination and a career in health care.

The NMMC Mentorship Academy is made possible by a grant from the Bower Foundation. For more information, call (662) 377-6850 or (662) 377-3245 or 1-800-THE DESK (1-800-8430-3375).

Health Career Scholarships

North Mississippi Health Services offers Health Career Scholarships to graduating high school seniors who plan to major in a medical career and live in Lee County.

Scholarship application

After completing a semester at an accredited institution of higher learning in a medical major field of study, the recipient will send official grades and will be reimbursed for $500 for each for four semesters (for a total of $2,000). The student signs an agreement to remain in a medical major and in the accredited institution maintaining a status of good standing and a 2.5 GPA.

The recipient is not required to apply for NMHS employment as a condition of the scholarship.

Scholarship applications are due by March 29.

Participants who provide a completed application will be notified by email of their interview appointment time. For more information, call (662)-377-3245.

Jim Spruiell Memorial Scholarship

Health Care Foundation of North Mississippi offers the Jim Spruiell Memorial Scholarship for individuals who are pursuing a career in emergency health care. Recipients can be high school seniors preparing to enter college or individuals currently in the workforce about to embark on a second career. Eligible applicants must live or work in counties served by North Mississippi Health Services.

Scholarship requirements

Scholarship application

Application deadline is March 29, 2019.

Physician Shadowing

Students in the Physician Shadowing Program must have completed their junior year of college in pursuit of a medical career. During the program, they spend time with family physicians, surgeons, radiologists, cardiologists and emergency physicians. The Health Care Foundation of North Mississippi funds the program through the P.K. Thomas Jr., M.D., Endowed Scholarship Fund. Each student receives hourly compensation, a lab coat and support materials. For more information, call (662) 377-3245 or 1-800-THE DESK (1-800-843-3375).

Sessions are scheduled for June 10-28 and July 8-26. Selected individuals are hired, provided a lab coat and paid minimum wage while in the program. The application process begins February 1. Application deadline is April 12.

Program details

Online application