Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine Expands M.I.N.D.S. Program to Inspire Future Physicians

At the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, a summer internship program is opening doors for high school students who dream of becoming doctors. Known as the M.I.N.D.S. Program – short for Medical Internship Navigating and Discovering Science – the initiative is designed to give students a front-row seat to the world of medicine while preparing them for the academic hurdles ahead.

Launched in 2018, the program has steadily grown into what school leaders describe as a “longitudinal workforce development pathway.” What began as a six-week internship now stretches into years of mentorship, guidance and exposure that follow students through high school and into college. Along the way, participants receive SAT prep, CPR and Narcan certification, shadow physicians, perform mock interviews and engage in community health projects and medical simulations that bring textbook science to life.

“This isn’t just about giving students a taste of medicine,” said Mekbib Gemeda, EdD, senior associate dean for Opportunity & Belonging. “It’s about walking alongside them until they get into medical school. Together with our expanded partnerships across Hackensack Meridian Health, including family medicine, emergency medicine and mental health, we’re creating a pathway for compassionate and well-prepared future leaders in health care.”

Student Voices, Real Impact

The program has already produced powerful results. Alumni have gone on to universities such as Yale, Harvard, Columbia, Seton Hall and Rutgers, with several beginning to enter medical and health professional schools.

For Jonathan Crosse, a 2024 M.I.N.D.S. graduate and now a freshman at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, the experience shaped his career aspirations. “I’ve always felt drawn to STEM, and I knew early on that I wanted to be in a field where I could make a difference,” Crosse said. “Medicine stood out to me for that reason. But it was M.I.N.D.S. that helped me understand what kind of physician I hoped to become. The shadowing experiences didn’t just expose me to the clinical work, but to the relationship-driven components that make health care meaningful. It helped me see medicine not just as a science, but as a calling.”

This year, the program expanded further to include children of Hackensack Meridian Health team members, giving employees’ families a chance to participate in the same pipeline of opportunity. For Nour Abaza, a Junior at Wayne Hills High School whose father works at Hackensack University Medical Center, the program proved transformative. 

“The M.I.N.D.S. program gave me the opportunity to improve my proficiency in communication, teamwork and time management. In my opinion, these qualities are some that matter the most in the field of medicine,” she said. “A great attention to detail, being articulate and the ability to work with new and open minds is an incredible thing to experience. It gave me lifelong confidence in myself and my future.”

A Critical Investment

With a looming physician shortage nationwide, Hackensack Meridian leaders believe programs like M.I.N.D.S. are essential, as is funding for them. The program welcomes everyone interested in pursuing a career in medicine, including promising high-school candidates who often experience gaps in access and opportunity.

“Philanthropic support is vital to the continued growth of the M.I.N.D.S. program, an initiative dedicated to nurturing the next generation of medical leaders,” says Sheila Wolfinger, executive director of development for the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. “Donations empower Dr. Gemeda and his team to provide students with a deep understanding of modern medicine, including the critical role of social determinants of health, ensuring our future physicians are prepared to serve all communities with excellence and compassion.”

The program’s reach continues to grow, with applications open to rising juniors and seniors across New Jersey, which is why additional resources are essential to helping to meet the demand. To apply, candidates must submit transcripts, essays and recommendations – and if accepted, they gain an experience that school officials say can be life-changing.

Shaping Tomorrow’s Health Care Workforce

As the program enters its next phase, Gemeda emphasized that M.I.N.D.S. is about more than classroom exposure, it’s about sustained support for both students and their families. “I feel pathway programs are very important—an opportunity program that truly opens doors for students, “Gemeda said. “This program is not just exposure; it is longitudinal engagement of learners. You could teach science and skills, but when you also engage parents, you help them help their child succeed. That’s the deeper impact we are striving for at Hackensack Meridian Health.”

As the program continues to expand, leaders at the School of Medicine see M.I.N.D.S. as more than just an academic opportunity. It’s a commitment to preparing tomorrow’s physicians with the skills, confidence and sense of purpose needed to meet the challenges of modern health care.

Next Steps & Resources:

• Discover more about the M.I.N.D.S. Program. 
• Learn how you can support students at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine by visiting GiveHMH.org/SchoolofMed.

The material provided through Healthier You is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.