---
title: "Camp Med 2026: Inspiring the Next Generation of Health Care Professionals"
description: "🎉 What a summer! More than 1,000 students across Northwest North Carolina explored health care careers through Camp Med 2026.\n\nFrom hands-on experiences and hospital tours to online learning opportunities, students gained valuable insight into the many paths available in health care.\n\nRead the full recap and see the impact Camp Med is having on the next generation of health professionals..."
---

[What's New at NWAHEC](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/blog)

# [Camp Med 2026: Inspiring the Next Generation of Health Care Professionals](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/blog/camp-med-2026-recap)

 Written by [Brooke Kochanski](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/blog/author/brooke-kochanski) | Oct 29, 2026, 12:47:26 PM

This summer, Northwest AHEC's Camp Med program provided high school students across our 17-county region with opportunities to explore the exciting world of health care careers through hands-on learning, professional mentorship, and career exploration experiences.

In 2026, Camp Med reached students through both in-person and virtual programming:

- **892 unique participants** attended in-person Camp Med programs hosted throughout our 17-county region
- **345 unique participants** participated in Virtual Camp Med
- **1,237 total unique participants** engaged in Camp Med programming
- Students completed **20+ hours of educational programming** focused on health careers and workforce development

Throughout the summer, students experienced hospital tours, simulations, hands-on activities, and interactions with healthcare professionals. Participants explored a variety of healthcare fields, observed procedures, learned clinical skills, and gained insight into educational pathways leading to healthcare careers. At some regional Camp Med locations, students even earned Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and participated in activities such as operating room experiences, obstetrics education, and anatomy labs.

Camp Med continues to spark curiosity, build confidence, and help students envision their future in healthcare while strengthening the pipeline of future health professionals for North Carolina communities.

**We are grateful to our many partners, coordinators, presenters, and volunteers who made Camp Med 2026 possible. Thank you for helping inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals. We can't wait for next summer!**

 Learn more about Camp Med at: [https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/campmed](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/campmed)

 

*“Camp Med is a wonderful opportunity for local students to begin to explore if a career in the medical field might be right for them.”*  
**– Angel Gouge  
Education Manager, Ashe Memorial Hospital**

 

 

 

 

[View full post](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/blog/camp-med-2026-recap)

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