Midwestern University hosted its annual Health Careers Institute (HCI) from July 14–18 on the Downers Grove Campus, welcoming 30 high school and college-bound students for a hands-on introduction to healthcare careers. Leading the way were 15 Midwestern student mentors from programs such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy, and more, many of whom once attended HCI or similar high school outreach programs themselves.
For Navi Singh (CDMI ’28), returning as a mentor was a full-circle moment. “I participated in HCI as a high schooler in Arizona,” he said. “That experience
Health Careers Institute participants explored healthcare careers through immersive, hands-on activities during the weeklong program on the Downers Grove Campus of Midwestern University.
opened the door to dentistry and helped shape my path. Now I want to give back.”
Mentor Naomi Rajesh (CCOM ’28), a graduate of Downers Grove North High School, also found her calling through a Midwestern outreach event. “I remember being in their shoes,” she said. “I came here six years ago for a high school career day. Now I’m a second-year medical student making the dreams I had back then come true.”
Doctor of Physical Therapy students Lillian Goorsky and Rebecca Waden (D.P.T. ’27) also discovered Midwestern through a similar program. Lillian, a graduate of Plainfield South High School, and Rebecca, also a Downers Grove North High School alum, spoke to students about their journeys and the profession. “It reminds me of where I was at that age and how far I’ve come,” said Lillian. Rebecca added, “I love being able to help grow this profession and provide an example for future students.”
The high school participants explored career paths through clinical simulations, anatomy labs, and hands-on activities in fields like optometry, public health, pharmacy, dentistry, and speech-language pathology. They also benefited from panel discussions
Dental medicine student Navi Singh (CDMI ’28) came full circle this summer, mentoring students in the same program that first inspired him as an Arizona high schooler.
Naomi Rajesh (CCOM ’27), (center), served as an HCI mentor and role model for aspiring healthcare students.
and one-on-one mentoring.
“I know I want to go into healthcare, but I’m just not sure what specialty,” said Michael Moch, a recent Oswego East High School graduate. “This program helped me explore options and get out of my comfort zone.” Lucinda Knight, a rising senior at Lisle High School, agreed: “I enjoyed learning about all the different specialties. I didn’t realize how much actually went into dentistry and what you can do with that career.”
Midwestern University’s Health Careers Institute will return next summer, continuing to offer high school students an inside look at the many paths within healthcare. Applications for the 2026 session will open shortly after the first of the year.
About Midwestern University
Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit graduate and postgraduate institution specializing in the health sciences. The University serves more than 6,800 students across two campuses. The 105-acre Downers Grove Campus in Illinois includes seven colleges: the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine; the College of Pharmacy, Downers Grove; the College of Health Sciences–Downers Grove Campus; the College of Dental Medicine–Illinois; the Chicago College of Optometry; the Proposed College of Veterinary Medicine–Illinois; and the College of Graduate Studies. The University also operates an 11-acre clinical campus that includes the Midwestern University Multispecialty Clinic and the future Companion Animal Clinic. The 134-acre Glendale Campus in Arizona includes eight colleges: the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine; the College of Pharmacy, Glendale; the College of Health Sciences–Glendale Campus; the College of Dental Medicine–Arizona; the Arizona College of Optometry; the College of Veterinary Medicine-Arizona; the College of Graduate Studies; and the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine. The campus also features five community clinics on a 40-acre clinical campus: the Midwestern University Multispecialty Clinic, Dental Institute, Eye Institute, Animal Health Institute, and Therapy Institute.
Midwestern University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For more information, visit https://www.midwestern.edu or call (630) 515-7333. To learn more about Midwestern University Clinics, visit https://www.mwuclinics.com.