Youth Education & Scholarships

At North Mississippi Medical Center, our mission is to continuously improve the health of the people of our region. Our youth education and scholarship opportunities support our mission by providing opportunities for area youth to engage with our organization and gain confidence, skills and knowledge, while creating meaningful, healthy connections with positive health care career role models.

Summer Health Academy

With the aging population, health professionals will continue to be in high demand. NMMC has developed the Summer Health Academy, a workforce development program for science and technology, to help promote an adequate supply of caregivers in our community in the years to come.

Summer Health Academy introduces rising seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders to various health careers. 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.

Because of the pandemic, Summer Health Academy is not planned for Summer 2021.

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.

Because of the pandemic, the Student Volunteer Program is not planned for Summer 2021.

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. All applicants need to view the Student Education Resources for COVID-19 Preparedness in order to attest that they viewed it on the orientation quiz below.

Job Shadowing Application

Shadowing Orientation

Shadowing Orientation Quiz

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. on Tuesdays for six weeks, March 16-April 20, 2021, for class lecture, guest speakers and life skills. Participants will also schedule a job shadowing experience once per week. Participants will be provided a uniform to wear to NMMC.

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 80-clock-hour Certified Nursing Assistant Program will be held June 14-25 at Itawamba Community College’s Belden campus.

Interested students should complete the following application and submit the requirements listed to Cora Polson in the NMHS Education Department by Feb. 26, 2021.

Interviews will be March 2-4 at North Mississippi Medical Center (or virtually). Emails will be sent with an interview date and time.

The cost to participate in the Mentorship Academy is $101, which covers the cost of the Certified Nursing Assistant training and certification. This cost will be refunded if the participant successfully completes both phases of the program and passes the certification exam.

Mentorship Academy application

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 Medical Center is accepting applications for scholarships from graduating high school seniors in counties where NMMC-affiliated hospitals are located—Clay, Lee, Monroe, Pontotoc Tishomingo, Webster counties in Mississippi and Marion County, Ala.

Students who plan to major in a medical career, excluding dental and veterinary medicine, are eligible. Scholarships are funded by the Health Care Foundation of North Mississippi.

Scholarship application

Deadlines vary by location. Please check with your local NMMC hospital.

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 31.

Dr. Hiroji Noguchi Memorial Scholarship

North Mississippi Medical Center-West Point offers the Dr. Hiroji Noguchi Memorial Scholarship for individuals who are pursuing a career in health care. The scholarship is being administered by the Health Care Foundation of North Mississippi for high school seniors in Clay County schools. Application deadline is April 12, 2021.

Friends and colleagues of Dr. Noguchi established the scholarship shortly after his death on Oct. 4, 2019. Dr. Noguchi joined the NMMC-West Point medical staff in June 2017 after moving to this area from Honolulu, Hawaii, where he practiced for 18 years. For more information, call (662) 495-2141 or 1-800-THE DESK (1-800-843-3375).

Scholarship Application

Scholarship Flier

Applicants should also submit:

A copy of your most recent transcript (3.0 GPA or higher) and ACT score
Three sealed letters of recommendation from high school instructors, employers, clergy or other community members
A 350-word essay stating your reason for choosing a health career and what you have done to prepare yourself to be successful in that career.

Physician Shadowing

The Physician Shadowing Program at North Mississippi Medical Center provides a three-week, immersive, hands-on experience for pre-med students aspiring to a career in medicine. This program is tailored to students who have completed at least three years, junior equivalent, of college.

Students will engage with physicians and other hospital staff in various specialties, learning about everything from anatomy to bedside mannerisms. This experience has been designed to better prepare students for medical school, provide insight into what physicians do and why, and may help guide students toward a particular specialty. The program also shows the students local practice opportunities.

Because of the pandemic, NMMC has not yet scheduled the 2021 Physician Shadowing Program.