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Lang Medical Scholars Program

A Six-Year Journey Into Medicine Starting in 7th Grade

The Lang Medical Scholars Program at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University offers Philadelphia students a unique opportunity to learn about the human body and explore careers across the field of healthcare. 

Led by healthcare professionals and grounded in hands-on learning, the program immerses students in a academic medical setting where they study the human body, interact with healthcare teams, and learn about the prevention and treatment of prevalent health issues facing their communities. Through sustained long-term participation, students develop scientific literacy, communication skills, confidence, and a clearer understanding of the pathways that lead to careers in healthcare.

Learn more:

Email:

Phone: 215-707-0880

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Program Details and Schedule

For Philadelphia students entering 7th grade in 2026

Meets two Saturdays per month, October through May

Hosted at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

Small group learning with 30 students per grade

Hands-On Learning About the Human Body:

Each semester, scholars explore a different human body system through interactive learning experiences and conversations with healthcare professionals. 

Students learn: 

  • How each body system works 
  • What causes disease or health challenges 
  • How healthcare teams diagnose and treat illness and disease 
  • The wide range of careers connected to each area of medicine 
  • How health challenges affect families, communities, and global health 

At the end of each semester, scholars complete a signature project by interviewing members of the healthcare team related to that body system. Scholars transform these interviews into videos that they present to peers in their school communities, sharing what they’ve learned and inspiring other students to explore careers in healthcare.

    Experiences That Bring Medicine to Life

    Throughout the program, Lang Scholars gain meaningful exposure to medicine, science, and clinical settings and begin to understand  how healthcare professionals work together to improve patient care and advance medical knowledge. 

    Students have opportunities to: 

    • Meet physicians, nurses, scientists, therapists, and researchers 
    • Tour hospitals, research labs, and clinical spaces at Temple 
    • Participate in paid summer internships in healthcare and science fields 
    • Attend leadership workshops and educational field trips 
    • Receive SAT preparation and college application support 

    Preparing the Next Generation of Healthcare Leaders

    By the time they complete the program, Lang Scholars will have spent six years developing knowledge, skills, mentorship relationships, and experiences that help prepare them for future success in college and beyond.  More importantly, students begin to see themselves as future contributors to healthcare, science, and their communities. 

    The program’s longitudinal; cohort-based design fosters collaboration, empathy, leadership and supportive friendships among students from diverse schools and backgrounds across Philadelphia, skills essential to the future of compassionate and culturally responsive healthcare providers.

    Why This Program Matters for Philadelphia

    The future health of Philadelphia depends on developing a healthcare workforce that reflects, understands, and is committed to the communities it serves. Yet many students with the curiosity and potential to pursue careers in healthcare are never exposed to the experiences, mentorship, or opportunities that help make those futures feel attainable. 

    The Lang Medical Scholars Program introduces students to medicine and health sciences early in their educational journeys, during a critical period when interests, confidence, and academic identity are still developing.  By investing in students from neighborhoods across Philadelphia, including communities surrounding Temple University, the program helps cultivate future healthcare professionals while strengthening connections between Katz School of Medicine and the community it serves. 

    Donor Impact

    Support from generous donors helps make transformative experiences possible for Lang Scholars throughout their six-year journey. 

    Philanthropic investment supports: 

    • Hands-on learning activities and educational materials 
    • Summer internships, leadership experiences, and enrichment opportunities 
    • College readiness and academic support programming 
    • A welcoming learning environment where students feel encouraged, supported, and inspired 

    Donor support does more than fund the program, it helps students build confidence, expand their sense of possibility, and envision futures in healthcare and science. Every investment in Lang Scholars is an investment in the future health, leadership, and well-being of Philadelphia communities and advances Temple’s mission to improve the health of the communities we serve. 

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