The HERO (Health Exploration Resources & Opportunities) Mentoring Program is launching again this fall for high school students interested in medicine, health sciences, and healthcare careers. If you are curious about human body systems, diseases, treatments and current issues in health care, then the HERO Mentoring Program is for you! Participants are matched 1:1 with a trained Medical Student Mentor from the UVM Larner College of Medicine. Participants will meet with their mentor virtually throughout the fall to explore topics in health sciences and medicine, and consider a career in health care. Prior to applying, please review the following program requirements, expectations, and benefits:
HERO 2026 PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS
HERO participants must:
- Attend Session 1: HERO Live Launch This virtual orientation is Tuesday, October 6th at 6:30 PM. (A make-up session for those with conflicts will be on Thursday, October 8th at 6:30 PM.)
- Attend all remaining live, virtual sessions scheduled with your Medical Student Mentor (eight 75-minute sessions in all) starting with the week of October 12th.
EXPECTATIONS
HERO participants are expected to:
- Respond to your mentor and to NVTAHEC staff when they reach out to you.
- Show up to virtual meetings on time ready to engage with your mentor.
- Be an active participant in virtual mentoring sessions.
- Challenge yourself to try new things and put yourself in new situations.
BENEFITS
- Develop a connection to health professionals in Vermont.
- With your mentor's help, document your learning goals and activities for a Personalized Learning Plan school requirement or personal use.
- Gain access to online tools and resources to understand human anatomy, physiology, and disease and how they relate to different health careers.
- Receive advance notice of upcoming NVTAHEC opportunities related to health and medicine (e.g., CPR/Stop the Bleed Courses, Vermont Emergency First Responder (VEFR) Training, Governor's Health and Medicine Institute).