Medicine & Health Sciences

The Medicine and Health Sciences program is one of the most immersive offerings in VEI, built around direct access to real healthcare professionals and clinical environments.

Working with Loyola Hospital, MacNeal Hospital, Illinois College of Optometry and The Science Runway, you’ll gain experiences most adults never get – including tours of trauma rooms, the chance to observe an open-heart surgery and a field trip to Christ Hospital to witness surgical procedures firsthand. Students will also visit the NUHS to work with actual cadavers.

Medical Explorers [Seniors only] is a core course that brings healthcare professionals into the classroom for weekly presentations on what it means to work in medicine, followed by intensive volunteer experiences in real-world healthcare settings. Students also have the opportunity to participate in local health events and earn community service hours throughout the year. One on-site day at the hospital weekly is mandatory.

Beyond the clinical experience, the program offers a range of courses that develop a deeper understanding of the human body and wellness.

Nutrition 1 [prerequisite] examines how food fuels physical and mental performance.

Nutrition 2 [Culinary Arts] blends nutrition education with introductory culinary arts training in a teaching-kitchen environment. Students develop foundational food preparation skills while learning the relationship between food, health and performance. Both classes take place in our new state-of-the-art kitchen.

Together, these courses help prepare you for some of the most respected and in-demand careers available – and give you the hands-on experience and in-depth perspective to match.