Join Our RYSE MED Program!

Applications for the 2025-26 RYSE MED Cohort are now closed. Please visit our website in February 2026 regarding the 2026-27 cohort.

Are you a current 10th or 11th grader attending a metro Detroit high school who is interested in health equity, medicine, or research? RYSE MED is a free program that welcomes you to explore healthcare clinical and research careers. We need bright, young minds like yours to help us improve our community’s health. We encourage you to apply to our RYSE MED (Readying Youth Scientists for Excellence in Medicine, Health Equity and Discovery) program, a free, health equity and healthcare career program for high school, undergraduate, graduate, and medical school students.

During the six-week intensive summer immersion program and academic year activities, you'll learn about the many careers you can pursue in healthcare, from doctor to researcher and so much more. We are excited to support you on your journey to making a positive impact on the healthcare field — and on people’s lives.

Keep in mind, this is a year-long experience with an intensive summer immersion component.

Learn more about RYSE MED from Dr. Martina Caldwell, Medical Director of Diversity and Inclusion.

Applications for the 2025-26 RYSE MED Cohort are now closed. Please visit our website in February 2026 regarding the 2026-27 cohort.

RYSE MED At A Glance

During the RYSE MED summer immersion program, you will:

Shadow physicians, nurses, researchers, healthcare administrators, and other clinicians and learn healthcare skills and complete hands on simulations, virtual reality clinical scenarios, and workshops.
Hone your academic, professional and leadership skills.
Develop college success skills and receive career advice.
Embark upon long-term mentor relationships with researchers, administrators and clinicians, along with students in college and beyond studying medical and research careers.
Participate in community-building activities to foster connections with your mentors and gain inspiration from the community you live in.
Learn about a variety of health and research topics with an emphasis on health equity.
Conduct research and create an infographic for the 10-to-15-minute group presentation on a health equity topic that impacts you, your family or community.
Deliver group presentation to healthcare professionals, loved ones, and community members during the celebration at the end of the summer immersion program.

This in-person summer program will be held at Henry Ford Hospital (2799 W. Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48202) in person from June 29 to August 8, 2025, on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 9 AM – 5 PM, with our Welcome event occurring in person on Sunday, June 29. Students should also be available on Thursdays, Fridays and weekends throughout the program for additional formal activities (sufficient notice will be provided), and self-directed activities such as shadowing, project work, mentoring circles, etc. After the summer program is concluded, you will continue to meet with your mentors and program staff at least monthly from September to May during the academic year.

RYSE MED Tracks:

After the summer program, scholars must continue their RYSE MED involvement through organized enrichment activities intended to foster academic, professional, and personal growth during the academic year. Options include:

RYSE: Connect (Established 2023) – A virtual monthly and occasional in-person series that continues to engage program alumni through life skills and academic readiness workshops, including financial literacy, professional communication, and mental health awareness.
RYSE: College Access (Launched 2022) – Designed for 12th graders, this pathway offers expert-facilitated workshops in college choice, essay writing, financial aid and scholarship navigation, and college application strategies to facilitate a seamless transition to post-secondary education.
RYSE in Research (Launched 2023) – A two-year opportunity for 11th-grade students to work with researchers, developing research skills such as data collection and analysis and scientific writing, leading to co-authored presentations or publications.
RYSE in Allied Health (Rolling out 2025) – A career development program for individuals 18+ years of age providing assured consideration for Henry Ford Health medical apprenticeship in roles such as Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, and Surgical Technologist. Individuals are provided with classroom instruction, on-the-job training, and potentially full-time employment.

Through providing progressive, organized career advancement, RYSE MED continues to support scholars all year-round.

RYSE MED is supported by undergraduate, graduate, and medical students pursuing healthcare clinical and research careers. If you are interested in being a RYSE MED mentor, learn more here.

Take a look at highlights from previous RYSE MED high school scholars and student mentors.

RYSE MED High School Scholar Eligibility

To be eligible for RYSE MED, high school students must meet the following criteria:

Be a first-time participant. Previous RYSE MED or predecessor program participants are ineligible.
Academic Qualifications:
- Attend a high school in metro Detroit. Priority consideration is given to the following groups:
  - Students who live in Henry Ford Hospital’s impact zone (District 5) neighborhoods.
  - Students who attend schools in Henry Ford Hospital’s impact zone (District 5), specifically University Preparatory Academy High School – Ed Parks Campus and Detroit Northwestern High School.
  - Students attending public or charter schools in the city of Detroit.
- Be a current 10th or 11th grader at the time of application (rising 11th and 12th graders for the next academic year).
- Have an overall AND most recent semester/trimester weighted GPA of at least 2.5.
  - Applicants with weighted GPAs between 2.5 and 3.0 will require additional review (e.g., academic endorsement from educator or counselor, demonstrated upward GPA trend, etc.).
Need-Based Considerations: Face persistent and cumulative structural barriers to healthcare career opportunities, such as attending an under-resourced school, having prolonged financial resource limitations, being a first-generation college educated student, etc.
Work Eligibility: Must be authorized to work in the U.S. and obtain a work permit if under 18.
Program Commitment: Must be able to fully participate in all required summer and academic year program activities. Absences during the summer immersion program are only allowed for unexpected, unavoidable circumstances. Each longitudinal track will have an attendance policy to optimize engagement.

2025 RYSE MED Program Dates

The summer immersion program will run in person June 29 – August 8, 2025, on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 9 AM – 5 PM, with our Welcome event occurring in person on Sunday, June 29. Students should also be available on Thursdays, Fridays and weekends throughout the program for additional formal activities (sufficient notice will be provided), and self-directed activities such as shadowing, project work, mentoring circles, etc.

Other required activities scholars must attend include:

Onboarding & Expectations Orientation (Virtual): Week of May 12
Employee Orientation (Virtual, if needed): Monday, June 16 from 8 AM -12 PM
Program Welcome (In-Person): Sunday, June 29 from 2 PM – 5 PM (Time of event is subject to change.)
Summer Sessions (In-Person): June 30 – August 6 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 9 AM – 5 PM
Closing Celebration (In-Person): Friday, August 8 from 5 PM – 9 PM (Time of event is subject to change.)

* High school student scholars and student mentors MUST be available for all summer immersion program dates without exception. *

For students less than 18 years old, a parent or guardian must attend the RYSE MED Onboarding and Expectations Virtual Orientation, Program Welcome and Closing Celebration during the summer, as well as TBD required parent/guardian academic year activities (e.g., track orientations and celebrations).

Please Note: After the summer program is concluded, you must participate in at least one academic year track.

Stipends may be available, but are not guaranteed, for high school students who participate.

Interested in being a RYSE MED Mentor? Check out our RYSE MED Student Mentor page for more information and to apply.

From the RYSE MED Class of 2024

“I had an amazing time here with RYSE MED, and I have not only learned things pertaining to the medical field but also learned things about myself. During these 6 weeks, I've grown and changed more than I thought I could in what seems like such a short span of time.”

- Autumn Eaddy
RYSE MED High School Scholar
From the RYSE MED Class of 2024

“Because of RYSE MED, my mentality has shifted to rising with others; instead of only thinking about my future, I can work with other people and help all of us at once.”

- Luke Zhang
RYSE MED High School Scholar
From the RYSE MED Class of 2024

“Thank you for creating one of the most welcoming places I have ever had the privilege to be in.”

- Onanna Jacy
RYSE MED High School Scholar
From the RYSE MED Class of 2024

For me, RYSE MED stands for all the important inequities that do not get discussed enough in our communities, and I believe the work that you all do is an important eye-opener that empowers youth to use their voice and bring about changes they never thought possible.”

- Gwendolyn Adoteye
RYSE MED Student Mentor
From the RYSE MED Class of 2024

“Being part of such a prestigious and impactful program is truly amazing. I applaud the RYSE MED Program for its commitment to empowering and uplifting marginalized populations. It provides crucial support and resources that foster growth and development in aspiring medical professionals like myself.”

- Nathan Hankerson
RYSE MED Student Mentor
From the RYSE MED Class of 2023

“Through RYSE MED Program, I have had the opportunity to see surgery, perform CPR, shadow multiple doctors, speak with trained physicians, and hear about their experiences. These experiences have broadened my horizons and equipped me with invaluable skills and insights that will undoubtedly shape my future endeavors.”

- Blake Perrin
RYSE MED High School Scholar
From the RYSE MED Class of 2023

“I don’t think that I can explain how big of an impact that this program has had on my life and will continue to have on my life for years to come. Not only did I gain education, I gained motivation, friends, life lessons , mentors , connections , and much more.”

- Kayla Caldwell
RYSE MED High School Scholar
From the RYSE MED Class of 2023

“This program has opened so many doors and opportunities not only for the high school scholars but for the mentors as well. Being a part of RYSE MED allowed me to realize that I do not have to wait to help those on a similar path.”

- Janae Martin
RYSE MED Student Mentor
From the RYSE MED Class of 2023

"The priceless lessons I have learned from my mentors (Undergraduate, Medical School, and Staff alike) will forever be priceless and cherished throughout my daily life."

- Waverly Taylor
RYSE MED High School Scholar
From the RYSE MED Class of 2023

“Coming into work was truly a fun experience for me. I learned so much in such a short time. I am truly honored to have met you all and to have had the opportunity to become a mentor. Your
wisdom has been incredibly valuable to me, and I am grateful for the insights you shared."

- Vivica Addrow
RYSE MED Student Mentor

Program Sponsors

RYSE MED Heroes

Ford Philanthropy
Teleflex
LabCorp
Frederiek and Cynthia Toney
Denise Brooks-Williams
Travis and Shannon Brown
Oxford Medical Simulations
American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM)

RYSE MED Champions

Dr. Jonathan Braman
The Detroit White House
Harry Cohen, Board Chair of Friends of the Children Detroit

Past Donors

Resolute Educational Solutions (2022 – 2024)
Moderna Charitable Foundation (2023)
Michigan College Access Network (2022)

Donate

Contact Us

Please contact us at hfmgodi@hfhs.org if you have any questions. Thank you again for your interest!

Program Locations

Allied Health Programs

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