Youth Outreach Programs

PCOM is working to help raise interest in science, technology, engineering and math—plus medicine (STEM+M) at the high school and undergraduate level through its Opportunities Academy. During the one week summer program, students will build their resume and college applications by engaging in labs, networking opportunities and developing their own research presentation alongside PCOM faculty and medical students.

This engaging pathway program is designed for high school students interested in discovering the many opportunities within the healthcare field. Participants will gain firsthand experience through interactive workshops covering essential areas such as primary care skills, mental health, sports medicine, dermatology and forensic sciences.

Beyond the workshops, students will have the unique chance to connect with dedicated mentors from PCOM. These mentors will provide guidance, share their personal journeys, and help students navigate the path toward a rewarding career in medicine.

This series is hosted in partnership with TGR Learning Lab. High school students interested in participating in the program can register on the TGR Learning Lab website.

Join this dynamic, hands-on program designed to spark curiosity in middle school students about the human body and the many careers that keep it healthy. Through interactive anatomy stations, medical simulation activities and small-group mentorship with medical students, participants will explore STEM in action. This program will be held in winter 2027.

The PCOM Georgia Opportunities Academy is a summer enrichment program for local high school students interested in healthcare careers. The program is designed to guide high school students to careers in medicine and science. PCOM Georgia students, faculty and staff lead participants through full days of hands-on learning. Campers explore various medical subjects from cardiology to infectious diseases to neuroscience through interactive labs and guest lectures. Students also gain exposure to different careers in health care as well as learn how to apply to college and professional programs.

PCOM Georgia's Office of Campus and Community Partnerships proudly partners with local high schools in the Gwinnett County area:

• Berkmar High School
• Central Gwinnett High School
• McClure Health Science High School
• Meadowcreek High School

The Medical Explorers program is geared toward high school juniors and seniors interested in health care through the Scouting of America. Once a month during the academic school year, the students meet to learn about a variety of healthcare careers and participate in hands-on activities.

The STEAM at Mason initiative is a PCOM Georgia pathway program dedicated to igniting curiosity and fostering creativity among 5th-grade students at Mason Elementary School. Participants delve into the vibrant worlds of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) through dynamic, hands-on learning experiences. By demonstrating the practical applications of these disciplines, the program promotes innovation, critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving skills.

The PCOM Georgia Community Engagement Internship Program provides undergraduate students the opportunity to earn internship hours by assisting with pathway programming and community outreach initiatives at PCOM Georgia in Suwanee.

The PCOM South Georgia Opportunities Academy is a summer enrichment program for local high school students interested in healthcare careers. Medical students, faculty and staff at PCOM South Georgia lead participants through full days of hands-on learning. Youth explore various medical subjects from cardiology to infectious diseases to neuroscience as well as gain exposure to different careers in health care.

Athletes in Medicine is a workforce and personal development program that empowers middle and high school student athletes to translate the discipline, resilience and teamwork developed through sports into leadership and healthcare careers. Led by PCOM South Georgia and Resilient Communities of Southwest Georgia, the program blends smart nutrition, mindset development and leadership training with exposure to careers in medicine, allied health and community wellness, helping students thrive both on the field and beyond.

COMPASS: Creating Opportunities for Mental Health Professions is a workforce and leadership development initiative that introduces high school students to careers in mental and behavioral health while strengthening advocacy, mentorship and systems-level thinking. Led by Resilient Communities of Southwest Georgia and PCOM South Georgia, COMPASS provides hands-on learning, mentorship and community-based experiences that prepare students to pursue careers in psychiatry, psychology, counseling and social work, while investing in a sustainable, locally rooted mental health workforce for Southwest Georgia.

Medical Explorers is a program offered in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Moultrie-Colquitt County, designed to spark curiosity and build confidence in youth interested in healthcare careers. Through hands-on activities, interactive workshops and exposure to medical professionals and  med students, participants learn about the human body, healthy lifestyles and the wide range of careers in medicine and allied health. The program creates a supportive, engaging environment where young people can see themselves in healthcare roles, ask questions, and begin imagining their future in medicine.

Pediatric Partners is a year-round partnership between PCOM South Georgia and Step N' Stones Autism Academy designed to support K-12 neurodiverse students and provide medical students with meaningful exposure to pediatric care. Through interactive workshops, guided observations and recurring "Doctor's Day Out" activities, PCOM students learn directly from children, families, therapists and educators in a supportive community setting. The program helps K-12 participants become more comfortable in healthcare settings and during medical visits while preparing future physicians to provide compassionate, inclusive and patient-centered care.

STEAM is a year-round high school outreach program designed to expose students across rural South Georgia to science, technology, engineering, agriculture and mathematics through hands-on learning and career exploration. The program connects these disciplines to health care and medicine, helping students understand how innovation, agriculture, technology and science work together to improve the health of individuals, families and communities. Through interactive experiences, mentorship and exposure to healthcare professionals, STEAM encourages students to explore future careers, build confidence in their abilities, and see themselves as the next generation of health and STEAM leaders.

The PCOM South Georgia Community Engagement and Research Internship Program provides undergraduate students the opportunity to earn internship hours by assisting with programming and community outreach initiatives at PCOM South Georgia in Moultrie. This program also offers participants hands-on research experience, guided by mentorship from medical students passionate about osteopathic medicine. Through the program, undergraduates will gain invaluable exposure to the principles and practices of osteopathic medicine while actively contributing to research that addresses unique health challenges. The program is committed to fostering a new generation of scholars and healthcare professionals who are dedicated to advancing healthcare and making a transformative impact in their communities.