Program expands as UR strengthens local medical pipeline
The University of Rochester Department of Surgery marked the graduation of its 2026 Next Gen of Surgery class Friday, celebrating 17 local high school students who completed a six-week paid internship aimed at preparing Rochester youth for careers in medicine.
Selected from about 60 applicants, the students — ages 16 to 18 — spent the summer working alongside physicians, surgeons and researchers at UR Medicine. Program leaders said the internship provides hands-on workshops, certifications and exposure to clinical settings while treating participants as formal employees.
Hands-on learning, professional expectations
Students described a mix of skill-building and professional development. Participants took part in workshops that included learning basic suturing techniques, receiving CPR certification, training on Narcan administration and a "Stop the Bleed" course. The group also visited Mercy Flight to see emergency medical transport operations.
"Since I’m a high school student I couldn’t be too hands on, but we did a lot of workshops, learned how to do stitches, got CPR certified, Narcan training and stop the bleed which was my favorite," said student Akasha Manning.
Leaders emphasized that because participants are hired as UR Medicine employees for the duration of the internship, they are held to standards of professionalism, punctuality and accountability consistent with other staff.
Retention and career pathways
Program officials said the internship is designed as part of a longer-term pipeline into health care careers. Dr. Paula Cupertino, vice chair of community engagement and health outcomes at URMC’s Department of Surgery, described how the program supports students beyond the summer experience.
"All the students are offered entry-level positions at the medical center. Usually we have about 60%. And many of the students continue with us, and they have been hired for three years and continue to get promoted and moving up the ladder," Dr. Cupertino said. "So imagine if their goal is to get to medical school in eight years, they are already in the pathway."
Program leaders noted the internship began four years ago with just eight students and has grown each year. Organizers say they are continuing to expand the program to reach more local teens.
| Year | Number of students |
|---|---|
| First year (four years ago) | 8 |
| Following year | 12 |
| 2026 | 17 |
Local partnerships and selection
The internship was developed after a meeting between the Department of Surgery’s vice chair of community engagement and leaders from Encompass, an afterschool program. UR Medicine leaders said the selection process is competitive: the 17 interns were chosen from roughly 60 applicants.
- Eligibility: Applicants aged 16–18.
- Duration: Six-week summer internship.
- Employment: Participants are paid and treated as UR Medicine employees.
- Follow-up: Many interns are offered and accept entry-level positions at the medical center.
Organizers said the model aims to give students an early and sustained foothold in medicine that can translate into long-term employment and academic pathways. Students who remain with UR Medicine in entry-level roles can accumulate experience, earn promotions and position themselves for future goals such as medical school.
As the program grows, its leaders say they will continue outreach to ensure more Rochester students can access clinical experience, certifications and employment that can influence career trajectories in health care.
The Next Gen of Surgery graduation underscores local institutions’ efforts to diversify and strengthen the pipeline into medicine while providing paid opportunities for high school students in Rochester.
