Each summer, hundreds of high school students passionate about health and medicine travel abroad with Medical Squads to join a Global Medical Academy session in Panama, Greece or Belize. Each session is an 8-day program during which students gain hands-on clinical experience while also helping under-resourced families access essential medical services. The 2026 sessions are now open for enrollment, and the first application deadline is December 15th, 2025.
Home visit clinic in Belize! Students joined local doctors on house visits, bringing healthcare directly to families in need and learning first-hand about community-based medicine.
What happens on a Medical Academy?
Each Medical Academy follows the same structure: travel, orientation, and training, followed by three days of intensive clinical work, and finally, time to explore the host country’s rich culture. But while the framework was the same, each location offered a unique perspective on global health.
In Panama, students partnered with the Ministry of Health (MINSA) to expand access to care in rural communities. They supported school-based clinics, helped with patient intake and vitals, shadowed doctors, and even assisted with pharmacy organization, while MINSA staff ensured children received critical vaccines.
In Greece, students worked alongside health professionals serving migrant and refugee families in Athens. They gained firsthand experience in pediatrics, ophthalmology, and general medicine while supporting intake, triage, and pharmacy operations. Their learning extended outside the clinic, too, as they led First Aid workshops in shelters and explored the city’s history, language, and cuisine.
In Belize, the focus was on community-centered healthcare. Students assisted doctors in mobile clinics and on home visits, distributed medicines, and delivered health education workshops. Along the way, they deepened their understanding of Belize’s healthcare system while also engaging with the country’s vibrant culture.
Organizing the medicines for the pharmacy in Panamá. Our team worked together to sort, label, and organize medicines, helping create an efficient pharmacy system to better serve the local community.
Who can go on a Medical Academy?
Medical Academies are open to any graduating freshman through senior (graduating seniors are welcome!) as well as faculty or adult chaperones that can travel for free to support the student experience. No experience is required, but any skills with CPR, First Aid or intake that you have will be put to use. Prior to the Academy, students train online through our Global Medical Certification Program, plus our medical professionals will train you when you arrive in country.
The most important requirement is a passion for healthcare and the desire to make a positive impact in the world. The Academies are designed to give you a unique opportunity to get hands-on experience that will help you launch your career in healthcare.
Across all three locations, students developed real-world medical skills, built intercultural competencies, and most importantly served hundreds of patients who often lack access to consistent care. They return home not only with new experiences for their resumes, but with new friendships, confidence, and a broadened perspective on what it means to practice healthcare globally.
Students have the opportunity to work hand in hand with medical professionals. A unique chance for students to shadow and collaborate with experienced healthcare providers, gaining real-world skills and insights into global health.
We invite you to join!
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the 2025 Medical Academy students whose dedication and compassion made such a difference, and to our local staff, coordinators, and medical partners who made every clinic possible. Together, you brought medical care to hundreds of patients in need.
And now, we open the doors to a new group of passionate high school students and aspiring medical professionals to join our 2026 Global Medical Academies. Please fill out an interest form today, and we look forward to seeing you abroad next summer!