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Research & Innovation
It starts with a Q:
For the latest cutting-edge research, innovative collaborations and remarkable discoveries in child health, read stories from across all our areas of study in Q: Advances and Answers in Pediatric Health.
The Medical Career Collaborative Program
The Medical Career Collaborative (MC²) is a robust, multiyear program that provides high school students with experiences in healthcare to give them a jumpstart on their careers, as well as ongoing personal and professional support as they begin their career journey.
A collaboration between Children’s Hospital Colorado and Denver Health, MC² introduces students from under-represented backgrounds to the wide variety of career opportunities in the field. The program also helps students enhance their personal and professional skillsets as they plan for post-secondary education and their career paths.
From paid internships and an alumni network to public speaking training and resume coaching, MC² broadens students’ horizons and builds a strong foundation for their career.
20+
Years of internships
84%
Of 2023 graduates in health or pre-health majors
111
Alumni hired by Children's Colorado
Many graduates of MC2 have gone on to pursue healthcare and bioscience careers, including in medicine, nursing, laboratory sciences, public health, medical interpreting and biomedical research. Graduates often say that participation in the program had a significant impact on their trajectory, opening their eyes to new possibilities and discovering their own interests and strengths.
“I think MC2 has shaped the path for my future.”
– Awah
What to expect in the program
MC2 not only provides programming for students during high school, but it continues to support students after they’ve graduated as program alumni.
The high school programming takes place during a student’s junior and senior years with activities at the host hospital and the surrounding area. The programming is designed to familiarize students with healthcare, expose them to a variety of careers in the industry and assist them in exploring and preparing for post-secondary education programs. Activities include:
- Paid internships at Children’s Colorado or Denver Health
- One-on-one mentoring with hospital team members
- Monthly field trips
- Workshops and trainings
- Certifications in Mental Health First Aid, CPR and Basic Life Support, Seizure First Aid and bleeding control
- Personal and professional development seminar sessions
- Post-secondary coaching
After completing the high school programming, participants have access to:
- Free clinical certification opportunities to facilitate early entry into the workforce, such as certified nursing assistant (CNA), emergency medical technician (EMT), pharmacy technician and phlebotomist
- Individualized support for education and career goals
- Targeted networking opportunities with MC2 alumni network
- Professional development guidance, such as resume and cover letter writing and interview preparation
- Job placement assistance at Denver Health and/or Children’s Hospital Colorado, when appropriate
Learn more from our MC2 Program Roadmap (pdf).
How to apply
MC² is offered at Denver Health and several Children’s Hospital Colorado locations, including Anschutz Medical Campus (Aurora), North Campus (Broomfield), South Campus (Highlands Ranch) and Colorado Springs. Learn more about our locations. Applicants only need to fill out one application to be considered for any of the MC² program site locations.
Applicants must be current high school sophomores at the time of application who attend school in the Denver metro or Colorado Springs areas. If accepted, students begin the program at the start of their junior year.
In an effort to build a workforce that better represents the communities served in healthcare, MC² focuses on recruiting students from groups that are underrepresented in the healthcare industry.
Students are chosen by a committee that reviews all the applications. The selection committee takes the following into consideration when selecting participants for the program:
- Student essays
- School activities
- Community involvement
- Student need and representation
- A recommendation
- GPA
The 2024-2025 application window has closed. Please check back in January 2025 to access the 2025-2026 MC2 Application.
“As an MC2 student, I was able to experience a field I would have never gotten the opportunity to experience, and now I get the opportunity to be a part of that field and help change people’s lives.”Mayra, family nurse practitioner at Children’s Colorado
Frequently asked questions
Applying
The MC² program considers applicants from any high school across the Denver metro and Colorado Springs areas.
MC² requires a full two-year commitment. If you know that you will be graduating early, you aren’t eligible to apply to the program.
Each year the program receives over 350 applications for approximately 60 spots.
General program information
You can indicate a preference on your application, but hospital placements are ultimately decided by the MC² selection committee.
Students who are eligible to work in the United States will get paid for hours worked only during the internship component of the program.
You may still participate in the program. Students can contact MC² staff for more information.
Yes, but the activities will be separate from MC² and require an additional application. We encourage students to pursue volunteer opportunities only after they have completed the internship portion of the program.
Program participants are required to have the same vaccinations that the hospital requires for employees. We encourage all our team members to stay up to date on their vaccinations, including for COVID-19, per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. However, COVID-19 vaccination is not a requirement of employment.
Because of the patient populations we serve, we require that all team members receive an annual flu vaccine or provide an approved exemption. This not only helps to protect our team members, but also the patients and families in our care.
Internships
You have the opportunity to share your areas of interest, but internship placements are ultimately decided by your MC² site coordinator.
Students complete internships during the winter or summer of their junior year. Winter internships last 12 weeks, whereas summer internships last six weeks.
Students are allowed to indicate a session preference, but session placements are ultimately decided by your MC² site coordinator.
All students are required to complete 100-120 internship hours.
Winter interns complete internship hours after school and/or on the weekend and school breaks. Summer interns are expected to be available during regular business hours during the week, as well as some weekends.
Students are encouraged to find learning in all situations. Rarely does the program change a student’s internship placement.
Internships are paid the Colorado minimum wage.
Contact information
Please contact us by email with additional questions.