The Health & Medicine Institute

Experience a wide variety of health and medical careers and earn certifications by learning hands-on skills with the guidance of practicing professionals.

Northern Session in Lyndon
July 6 - Saturday July 12, 2025

Southern Session in Castleton
July 13 - Saturday July 19, 2025

“ 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.

— Rory,   2023 Health & Medicine Alum

About the Health & Medicine Institute...

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.

Students can choose between the Northern or Southern Session based on dates and locations (see information below!).

For information regarding this Institute’s sliding-scale tuition support, please click here.

Health and Medicine 2024
Health and Medicine 2024

At This Institute You Will...

  • Explore careers in health science, research, and medicine.
  • Practice hands-on medical skills like assessing vital signs and interviewing patients.
  • Receive certifications and earn credentials to kickstart a career in medicine.
  • Choose from a variety of hands-on lab activities and workshops led by health professionals and college faculty.
  • Work closely with medical student mentors throughout the week.
  • Have the time of your life!

Now Offering TWO SESSIONS!

NVTAHEC

NORTHERN SESSION

Sunday, July 6th - Saturday July 12th, 2025
@ Vermont State University Lyndon Campus
Online Introduction June 30th - July 3rd

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).

SVTAHEC

SOUTHERN SESSION

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.

H&M Logo

Which session should I attend?

Both sessions offer a similar curriculum and a similar experience.

We will do our best to accommodate students who have a date/location preference.

Experience the vibe at Health & Medicine!

Attending this Institute can earn you credit, proficiencies, and certifications!

How To Get High School Credit

We encourage all students who participate in an Institute to use the experience to earn high school credit.

Awarding high school credit is at the discretion of the student’s sending school, so we recommend students make a plan with their high school guidance counselor before attending GIV to earn their credit.

Each school has unique requirements around proficiencies, credits, and PLPs, so there are multiple pathways to awarding credit based on your school's system of assessments.

However, we recommend that high schools award credit by having students produce one or more of the following...
- A presentation to reflect on the overall experience to present for counselors and/or teachers in the fall after their participation.
- A learning journal for submission about areas of learning, activities, reflections.
- Work examples to share with sending school teachers (physical or digital products, writing, videos of presentations, learning journal, etc.) to be reviewed and assessed.

Please reach out to us at [email protected] if we can directly help or support you or your school in determining credit opportunities for your experience at GIV.

Curriculum Format

Partnership with the Northern and Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center (AHEC)
1-week intensive
Online introduction for certification opportunities
Student split into two groups that alternate between sessions
Every student gets paired with a professional or graduate medical mentor
Field trips to area hospitals, SimLabs, and guest presenters
Dormitories and roommates
8:1 student-to-staff ratio

Sample Curriculum Topics

Patient assessment & triage
Emergency services
Anatomy and dissections
Disease and microscopy
Surgical techniques
Mental health
Psychology and neurology
Orthopedics: splinting, spinal injuries, and trauma
Physiology
Mass casualty scenarios
and more!

Hours and Opportunities

70+ hours of health and medicine training
Direct support from a mentor
Resume-building
Industry-recognized credentials and certifications to kickstart careers or medical training

Certifications Offered

Vermont Emergency First Responder (VEFR)

CPR/AED

Stop the Bleed

High School Credit Recommendations

Equivalent to one semester of high school credit in 1 or more of the following:

Science - Life Sciences
Science - Engineering, Technology, and Application
Health Education

VT Proficiency Indicators

This Institute’s curriculum has been aligned with the following Vermont proficiency-based graduation requirements at the high school level.

Science
- Life Sciences: 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 4a, 4b
- Engineering Technology and Applied Science: 8b, 8c, 8i

Health Education
- Core Concepts: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e
- Analyze Influences: 2a, 2b, 2c
- Access Information: 3a, 3b
- Interpersonal Communication: 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f
- Decision Making/Goal Setting: 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g
- Self Management: 6a

Transferable Skills
- Communication: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g
- Self-Direction: 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i
- Problem Solving: 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h
- Citizenship: 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f
- Informed Thinking: 5a, 5b, 5f

So how does it all work?

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.

An Example of a Day at the Health & Medicine Institute

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

What do alumni have to say?

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.

Health and Medicine Faculty

Lanie Billings

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.

Dr Jennifer Scott
Dr. Jennifer Scott is the Executive Director of Southern Vermont AHEC, a nonprofit organization in Springfield, VT that enhances community efforts to grow and sustain the health workforce in Addison, Bennington, Rutland, Windham, and Windsor counties. Jennifer earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. As a licensed clinical psychologist and a well-established educator and administrator, she has contributed to the fields of psychology and education with numerous presentations, publications, and professional service and has been recognized at the local and state levels for excellence in teaching and clinical practice.
With a career in higher education spanning almost three decades, Dr. Scott has learned at every level, from student to clinical faculty to college president. She is committed to the education and training of students and young professionals, creating opportunities for all to succeed, and serving the needs of individuals, families, and communities.

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