Applications are now open for the Ochsner STAR (Science, Technology, Academic, Research) Summer Scholars Program, Ochsner Health’s legacy high school program created to increase student access to science and academic research in Louisiana. This year, the competitive Ochsner STAR program will celebrate its 17th annual summer session for qualifying high school juniors. The deadline to apply is March 16.
STAR provides students, particularly those with limited means or access to STEM education, a cost-free opportunity to explore the world of healthcare. The rigorous hands-on summer program focuses on science, technology, academics, and research. During a four-week summer course, STAR aims to engage and inspire students to pursue careers in science and medicine by exposing students to innovative aspects of modern healthcare and by challenging them to find their best personal fit in the healthcare workforce.
“Education outreach is incredibly important to Ochsner Health. In fact, our founder, the late Dr. John Ochsner, had a guiding principle of investing in education to provide a promising future for the students of Louisiana,” said Carlos Calix, assistant vice president of school partnerships for Ochsner Health. “We remain fully committed to our legacy STAR program because of the opportunity it brings our youth, but also because it serves as an incredible pipeline for our future doctors, nurses, scientists, and other healthcare professionals we need here in the state and throughout the Gulf South.”
STAR’s curriculum offers hands-on learning and classroom seminars through hospital and clinic rotations. On average, STAR students explore over 60 departments and specialties, interact with more than 75 clinical and nonclinical employees, and receive over 160 hours of free healthcare and science education.
To better prepare STAR pupils for the workforce, students will learn leadership development and other important professional development skills from career development experts. These include presentation skills, resume writing and interview skills, teambuilding, and professionalism in the workplace. STAR’s comprehensive program also includes CPR certification for each participating student.
The program is competitive. In 2022,15 rising high school seniors were selected from a pool of more than 150 applicants.
The program will be held from June 5-20, Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Ochsner Medical Center-New Orleans, 1514 Jefferson Hwy.
STAR is supported by Ochsner’s community affairs office and through generous community donors. For more information on the Ochsner STAR Program, visit www.ochsner.org/star or to apply, visit www.ochsner.org/star/apply.