Yale Surgery Launches Health Career Collaborative–New Haven to Mentor Local High School Students

The Department of Surgery at Yale School of Medicine (YSM) has launched the Health Career Collaborative (HCC)–New Haven, a mentorship and educational initiative designed to introduce local high school students to careers in medicine while strengthening pathways into the health professions for students from underrepresented backgrounds. Through sustained mentorship, hands-on learning, and early exposure to physicians and trainees, the program aims to build health literacy, encourage students to pursue higher education, and help them envision a future in healthcare.

Supported by the Health Outreach Program for Equity (H.O.P.E.) of the American College of Surgeons, the Health Career Collaborative is a national program that connects students with physicians, trainees, and other healthcare professionals through mentorship and career exploration. The program operates in more than 40 chapters across over 30 U.S. cities.

The New Haven chapter was launched in partnership with three local public schools: Hill Regional Career High School, James Hillhouse High School, and Wilbur Cross High School.

Faculty sponsors include Shannon Small, MD, and Dirk C. Johnson, MD, with Yale surgical residents Stephanie Carter, MD, Taylor Corsi, MD, and Rachel Rivero, MD, serving as program co-directors.

“This program is about opening doors for students who may not otherwise see a path into medicine,” says Small. “Through mentorship and hands-on experiences, we want students to begin imagining themselves in healthcare careers while building the confidence and knowledge to get there. I’m incredibly proud of the work our surgical residents put into launching this inaugural year. Together, we hope to support these students, encourage them as they move toward college, and help demystify what it means to become a surgeon.”

The initiative is supported by the Yale Office of New Haven Affairs and the Yale Public School Partnership, reflecting Yale’s ongoing commitment to building meaningful partnerships with New Haven public schools.

The program is structured as an eight-week spring course, held on Saturdays, and is part of a three-year educational cycle culminating in a group capstone experience. The first session took place on March 6, welcoming 35 students—primarily ninth- and tenth-graders—from the partner schools.

Guest lecturers Kurt Schultz, MD, and Evans Simmons, PA, introduced students to the path to becoming a surgeon and led discussions on the social determinants of health. Students also worked through patient case scenarios that illustrated how physicians approach clinical decision-making.

Throughout the spring, students will participate in sessions led by Yale faculty and residents across a range of specialties—including critical care, orthopedics, plastic surgery, trauma, emergency medicine, vascular surgery, and urology. These sessions combine clinical concepts with practical demonstrations, giving students the opportunity to practice skills such as CPR, airway intubation, chest tube placement, and surgical suturing.

Residents play a central role in the program’s mentorship model, guiding small-group discussions and sharing their own journeys into medicine.

“As residents, we remember what it felt like to first imagine a future in medicine,” says Rivero. “Being able to connect with students at this stage—and help them see what that path can look like for themselves—is incredibly meaningful.”

“Our students are not only curious about careers in medicine—they’re deeply motivated to gain the skills needed to care for their communities,” says Corsi. “Many have shared personal experiences with healthcare inequities and a desire to be part of a more equitable future. Our goal is to provide the mentorship and exposure that help them build the skills and confidence to pursue careers in medicine and surgery.”

“It’s been especially rewarding to watch students’ curiosity and confidence grow as they’re introduced to different surgical specialties,” adds Carter. “Programs like this reflect our shared commitment to mentorship and inclusive excellence, and to the idea that engaging with our community is both a privilege and a responsibility as surgeons.”

By bringing together Yale faculty, residents, and local students in a collaborative learning environment, HCC–New Haven aims to foster sustained mentorship and strengthen the pipeline of future healthcare leaders.