MEDICINE AND RESEARCH SUMMER PROGRAM The Medicine and Research Summer Program hosted by Columbia University Vagelos College of Physician and Surgeons (VP&S) Global Health Organization is a 10-week summer program featuring students from around the world who learn from physicians, researchers, and medical students at Columbia University VP&S about diverse topics of medicine. Throughout the summer, students learn how to take a patient history, interview several standardized patients, engage in ethical discussions, have conversations about narrative medicine, and study various systems of human anatomy. In addition to the clinical aspects of the program, students learn research methods for finding sources, analyzing data, and writing a manuscript. This summer features an additional opportunity to become certified as a Community Health Literacy Worker for stroke, dementia, and health insurance through the Columbia University Neurology Department. Summer Dates: June 20 - August 29, 2026 |
Medicine and Research
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Saturdays June 20 - August 29, 2026
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM EDT Virtual (Zoom) |
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Community HealTh Literacy Worker Optional Addition
Saturdays June 20 - August 29, 2026
Extended program time 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM EDT
Virtual (Zoom) + in-person, Simulation Center/ Symposium Date
Extended program time 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM EDT
Virtual (Zoom) + in-person, Simulation Center/ Symposium Date
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
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The Summer Program has faculty from across the Columbia/ NYP medical campus that cover diverse specialties such as neurosurgery, psychiatry, dermatology, primary care, and ethics.
Teaching Fellows
The program features medical and dental students from Columbia VP&S who guide and mentor students throughout the summer with clinical cases and >200 hours of office hours.
The program features medical and dental students from Columbia VP&S who guide and mentor students throughout the summer with clinical cases and >200 hours of office hours.
Activities
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Clinical Correlates:
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Research Workshops:
Asynchronous Assignments:
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22.5 hours of synchronous programming
Open House Recording
Summer Program
Example Schedule
Summer 2025 Schedule:
Saturdays 10:30AM - 1:00PM EDT
Summer 2025 Schedule:
Saturdays 10:30AM - 1:00PM EDT
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June 21
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July 23
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*Sessions are led by medical students, physicians, researchers, and alumni. Our work is done by students, alumni, and faculty at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S) and Harvard College and represents our views, which is not necessarily those of the CUIMC and Harvard institutions as a whole.
Optional Additional Program:
Community Health Literacy Worker (CHLW) Program
Neurology Department
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Students have the opportunity to become community health literacy workers for stroke, dementia, and health insurance. This is a unique opportunity to learn from the neurology department at Columbia VP&S and NYP about diseases with the highest mortality and morbidity. Students act as a health liaison within their community throughout the duration of the program. By program completion, students will be able to recognize signs and symptoms, have knowledge about preventative measures that can be taken, and complete a mentored capstone project. Student will take a final exam at the end of the summer. Students are invited to a symposium at Columbia University VP&S in New York to present their project to the neurology department. Students complete a capstone community intervention under the mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students. Attendance at a certain amount of synchronous sessions as well as submitted assignments is mandatory for the CHLW Certificate.
Includes:
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Optional Additional Program:
Medical Humanities Program
Narrative Medicine & Public Health
Students can explore the humanistic side of medicine in this four-week program hosted with Columbia University VP&S. Combining Narrative Medicine and Public Health, the program blends science with patient-centered care through literature, film, case studies, and discussions on health systems and social determinants. Students develop a patient narrative, complete a public health project, and may present their work at the IYRC Conference.
Includes:
Includes:
- Narrative Medicine & Public Health sessions (can be done together or separately)
- Patient narrative & public health project
- Optional in-person day at Columbia University
- Case-based discussions & ethical reflections
Optional International Young Researchers' Conference
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At the end of the program, students are encouraged to submit their completed summer project to our biannual conference and online journal. The submissions are peer-reviewed by someone with a bachelors, masters or doctoral degree and accepted submissions are published. There are virtual and in-person options for students to participate. Listen to peers present their research projects and present your own poster or oral presentation. It is a fun and educational experience. Information about the conferences can be found on the conference webpage: www.the-iyrc.org/iyrcconference.html
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Application Process:
- The IYRC Summer Program on Medicine and Research is open to high school (secondary school) and college students
- Interested students must complete an application to participate
- Accepted students must pay the registration fee (Financial Aid available)
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
- The essays are not meant to be stressful. You have the opportunity to share a holistic angle of why you would like to participate in the program, what you like to do, and what your goals are for the summer.
- Responses should be original. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.
Registration includes:
- Access to 22.5 hours of synchronous programming
- Lectures and workshops from distinguished Columbia University physicians, researchers, and medical students at Columbia University and New York Presbyterian Hospital
- Write a real research paper, create a community project, or craft a health narrative
- Opportunity to participate in a medical education module competition and the Harvard Alumni for Global Women Empowerment Essay Contest
- Networking with other motivated students from around the world
Teachers who would like to support their students’ applications may submit a recommendation through this form. Click here.
Program Cost
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DEADLINE
November 1 December 1 January 1 January 31 March 3 April 15 May 20 |
BASE PROGRAM
(10:30-1PM) $500 (33% off) $550 (27% off) $600 (20% off) $650 (13% off) $700 (7% off) $750 (Full Price) $800 (+ $50 Late Fee) |
BASE + COMMUNITY
(10:30-2PM) $600 (45% off) $700 (36% off) $800 (27% off) $900 (18% off) $1,000 (9% off) $1,100 (Full Price) $1,200(+ $100 Late Fee) |
BASE + COMMUNITY + MEDICAL HUMANITIES
(Sat & Sun) $700 (48% off) $850 (37% off) $950 (30% off) $1,100 (19% off) $1,200 (11% off) $1,350 (Full Price) $1,500 (+ $150 Late Fee) |
*Limited need-based financial aid available to accepted students
Refund Policy
- Before March 3: Refund with a $10 cancellation fee.
- March 3 – June 19: Refund with a $100 cancellation fee.
- After June 19 or after joining the course page: No refunds will be provided.
