Educating the Future of Healthcare at Mizzou Mini Med School

June 12, 2025

The University of Missouri School of Medicine recently welcomed current Missouri high school juniors to campus for its annual Mini Medical School. For more than 25 years, students from across the state interested in learning more about healthcare participate in a week-long session led by School of Medicine faculty, staff and medical students.

Following Mizzou’s patient-based learning curriculum, Mini Medical School campers are offered hands-on experiences in the Shelden Clinical Simulation Center. Attendees also broadened their knowledge through interactive lectures and facility tours, including The Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, NextGen Precision Health and MU Health Care Children’s Hospital.

Current Mizzou School of Medicine medical students served as counselors at the annual Mini Medical School. — Current Mizzou School of Medicine medical students served as counselors, guiding campers through hands-on experiences in anatomy, microbiology and clinical skills.

Second-year medical student Nich Culley served as a counselor at the event’s first session. It was a unique full-circle moment for Culley, as he was once a Mini Medical School camper in 2017. Looking back, he noted the event’s instant and future impact.

“Before attending in 2017, I already had a strong interest in biological sciences, but Mini Medical School showed me how that passion could translate into a career in medicine,” said Culley. “I absolutely loved my experience. It was my first real exposure to healthcare and helped solidify my decision to pursue a career in medicine.”

Since the event’s inception, more than 1,000 high school students have trekked to mid-Missouri with contagious excitement and desire to learn. Now on the teaching side of the Mini Medical School experience, Culley is honored to contribute towards a potential life-changing moment for campers.

“As a counselor, it’s inspiring to see the reach and impact this program has across the state,” said Culley. “I’ve had the opportunity to firsthand watch the spark ignite from so many students, similar to what this event did for me years ago. It’s incredibly rewarding to be a part of something that truly shapes futures for so many individuals.”