What does medical school really look like? How do healthcare professionals decide which path is right for them? And how can a high school student begin exploring a future in health or medicine before choosing a college, training program, or career?
For students asking those questions, the 2026 HERO Mentoring Program offers a place to start.
HERO, which stands for Health Exploration Resources & Opportunities, is a free, virtual health science enrichment and career exploration program for Vermont high school students. Through one-to-one mentoring, participants are paired with medical students from the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine to explore anatomy, physiology, pathology, health careers, and the many pathways that can lead to a future in healthcare.
A Personal Connection to the Path Ahead
There is no single route into healthcare – and figuring out where to begin can feel overwhelming. HERO gives students the chance to learn from a near-peer mentor who has recently navigated many of the same questions about college, medical education, career choices, and preparing for the future.
Beginning this fall, mentoring pairs will meet virtually for eight sessions between October and December. Together, students and mentors will identify learning goals based on each participant’s interests. That might mean exploring a particular health profession, learning more about the human body, strengthening academic skills, preparing for college, or simply gaining a clearer sense of what direction to take next.
HERO is designed to be personal. Students are not simply logging in to hear someone talk about healthcare; they are building a relationship with a mentor who can answer questions, share firsthand insight, and help them connect what they are learning to their own goals.
More than Career Exploration
Past HERO participants have explored body systems alongside real-world health and community issues, examining how science, culture, access, and individual experiences shape health. They have investigated topics ranging from maternal health and neurodiversity to infectious disease and vaccine access – all while building confidence, communication skills, and a stronger sense of belonging in healthcare.
That combination of science and connection is what makes HERO different. Students have space to be curious, follow new interests, and learn alongside someone who is already taking the next steps in a health professions pathway.
Participants also gain access to additional Vermont AHEC Network resources, including online anatomy and health science tools, the VTHealthCareers.org career exploration site, advance notice of future health and medicine opportunities, and connections with UVM medical students and AHEC staff who can become part of their growing professional network.
Who should apply?
HERO may be a good fit for students who:
- Enjoy science, medicine, or helping others.
- Are curious about anatomy, illness, or emerging topics in medical science.
- Want to explore the variety of careers available in health and medicine.
- Are beginning to plan for college or technical training.
- Would benefit from guidance and encouragement from a medical student mentor.
- Are ready to ask questions, try new things, and take an active role in preparing for their future.
The program is open to high school students living in Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orleans, Orange, or Washington County.
Students do not need previous healthcare experience or advanced scientific knowledge to participate. An optional letter of recommendation may be submitted, and parent or guardian support is required. Space is limited.
Important dates for HERO 2026
An optional virtual About HERO Q&A will be held on September 10 at 3:30 p.m.
Applications close September 18, 2026. Selected students will attend a virtual orientation on October 6 at 6:30 p.m., followed by eight virtual mentoring sessions held between October 12 and December 6. Mentoring pairs will coordinate meeting times that work for their schedules.
A future in healthcare does not begin with having every answer. Sometimes, it begins with curiosity, a supportive connection, and the opportunity to picture yourself taking the next step.
Build skills. Gain a mentor. Explore careers. Make connections. Launch your healthcare journey with HERO.
Applications for the 2026 HERO Mentoring Program are now open. For more information, contact healthcareers@nvtahec.org