Jonesboro, AR – Contributed – New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University (NYITCOM at A-State) is now accepting applications for Project H.E.A.R.T., the college’s “mini-medical school” program for high school students, which will be held in June in both Jonesboro and Arkadelphia.
The Jonesboro session will be held June 15-18 on the A-State campus, while the Arkadelphia session will be held June 3-6 at Henderson State University. The Arkadelphia cohort will visit NYITCOM’s Jonesboro campus as part of their experience. There is no cost to the student to attend.
Project H.E.A.R.T. (Health Education, Advocacy, Reflection, and Training) is a residential camp aimed at educating students about future careers in health care and about higher education opportunities and community health. The program is aimed at students who would benefit from an opportunity to excel.
“Project H.E.A.R.T. is a great program for students who are interested in health care careers to learn about opportunities in the field while spending time on a college campus and engaging with current medical students who are eager to mentor them,” said Jennifer Wharton, NYITCOM’s associate director of pipeline programs and Project H.E.A.R.T. director. “It’s something we really look forward to each year because of the impact we continue to see it make on students as they make key decisions about their futures.”
Students applying for Project H.E.A.R.T. must be a high school student entering 11th or 12th grade in August of 2026. Dormitory housing and meals are provided for all participants. The program is open to any student who lives anywhere in Arkansas or a Delta state.
“We have students from across the state and region attend Project H.E.A.R.T. each year, and we encourage any student who is interested in a career in any health care field to apply,” Wharton said. “It’s a phenomenal experience.”
During Project H.E.A.R.T., NYITCOM medical students serve as counselors and actively mentor the high school students. Participants learn about a day in the life of a medical student, hear about the undergraduate admissions process, and engage in educational activities that include an opportunity to dissect a pig heart in the anatomy lab.
Representatives from local hospitals will lead hands-on activities to help campers learn about a variety of health care career options. Those include physicians, nurses, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, and more.
Applications are available online and must be submitted no later than April 10. Interested participants must submit a personal statement with their application. For more information, email Wharton at jwharton@nyit.edu.
This summer marks the fourth consecutive year that NYITCOM at A-State has offered the program on both the Arkansas State University and Henderson State University campuses. The program’s expansion into Southwest Arkansas was made possible by a generous gift from an anonymous donor.
