Experience a wide variety of health and medical careers and earn certifications by learning hands-on skills with the guidance of practicing professionals.
“ The choice workshops opened up new career paths I had never considered while the passion sessions made me feel more confident in myself and my abilities in this field.”
Do you want to learn the science of saving lives?
At the Health and Medicine Institute you can step into the world of health care in a real-world way! By diving into hands-on medical and health science skills, you will experience what it’s like to work in medical careers and will be guided every step of the way by professional healthcare mentors and faculty. Applicants are encouraged to choose either the Northern or Southern session based on date availability and specific interests.
At Health & Medicine North, you will have the opportunity to take a deep dive into pre-hospital clinical skills, and will earn credentials in CPR, Stop the Bleed, First Aid, and have the option to complete your VEFR certificate (Vermont Emergency First Responder).
At Health & Medicine South, you will have the opportunity to take a deep dive into primary care and prevention, and will earn credentials in CPR, Stop the Bleed, First Aid, and Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) certification.
Both sessions offer an adventurous approach to medicine where you can lead your own lab work, participate in crisis simulations, and sample a huge array of health care occupations.
For information regarding this Institute’s sliding-scale tuition support, please click here.
Sunday, July 6th - Saturday July 12th, 2025
@ Vermont State University Lyndon Campus
Online Introduction June 23rd - June 26th
Hosted in Partnership with the Northern VT Area Health Education Center (NVTAHEC)
Offering a deep dive into pre-hospital clinical skills and credentials in CPR, Stop the Bleed, First Aid, and optionally VEFR (Vermont Emergency First Responder).
Sunday, July 13th - Saturday July 19th, 2025
@ Vermont State University Castleton Campus
Online Introduction July 8th - July 10th
Hosted in Partnership with the Southern VT Area Health Education Center (SVTAHEC)
Offering a deep dive into primary care and prevention and credentials in CPR, Stop the Bleed, First Aid, and peer mental health response.
Both sessions offer a similar curriculum and a similar experience.
We will do our best to accommodate students who have a date/location preference.
Check out this media from recent years of the Institute.
Link to Other GIV Institute Videos
Every day is a unique experience filled with expert-led instruction, hands-on investigation, field trips, and immersive learning. We work to build a community around our experiences and share in our passion for everything we explore.
**The schedule is slightly different each year and announced when you arrive!
GIV’s supportive Institute structure is endlessly enriching, empowering, and engaging.
7:30 AM: Breakfast
8:30 AM: Morning Medical Activity
10:00 AM: Project Exploration
12:00 PM: Lunch and Free Time
1:00 PM: Afternoon Activity and Recreation
3:00 PM: Project Exploration
5:00 PM: Dinner
6:00 PM: Evening Social Activity
7:00 PM: Evening Workshops
8:00 PM: Game and Free Time
10:00 PM: End of Day
Check out this video from GIV Alum (and now faculty!) Thomas Halligan as he shares some of his experiences at GIV and his work as an Advanced EMT in rural communities in NH and VT.
Lanie Billings works with the Northern Vermont Area Health Education Center (AHEC) as the non-profit’s Health Careers Program Director. She joined the AHEC staff in July of 2021 after completing her studies at the University of Vermont. Lanie also spent much of her college career volunteering at the University’s collegiate ambulance department, UVM Rescue, as an Advanced-EMT Crew Chief and Director of Operations. She now primarily serves the community of Charlotte, VT as a Crew Chief, Driver, and Training Officer. Lanie resides in South Burlington and enjoys warm summer days on Lake Champlain, spending time with her friends and family, and being in the learning environment alongside her students.