Rising high school students work a virtual desktop on an Anatomage Table showcasing a digitize human cadaver as part of iHPSS (Interdisciplinary Health Professions Summer Summit) summer camp

Interdisciplinary Health Professions Summer Summit

The 2026 iHPSS Camp has concluded! Thank you to the students, faculty, community partners, and healthcare professionals who made this year's camp possible.

Information about the 2027 iHPSS Camp will be available in January 2027. Check back here for application details and program updates.

What is iHPSS?

The Interdisciplinary Health Professions Summer Summit (iHPSS) is a free summer day camp for high school students entering the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades who are interested in exploring careers in healthcare. An initiative of the New Hanover Healthcare Career Partnership (HCP), supported through a grant from The Endowment, iHPSS expands access to meaningful career exploration while strengthening the region's healthcare workforce pipeline.

The program introduces students to a broad range of health professions and highlights the vital role of interdisciplinary collaboration in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. Through interactive lectures, hands-on laboratory experiences, case-based learning, and team building activities from faculty, healthcare professionals, and community partners, students gain firsthand insight into healthcare education and practice.

Participants also explore the health sciences campuses at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) and Cape Fear Community College (CFCC), providing early exposure to higher education pathways and professional training. By connecting students with educators and healthcare leaders, iHPSS equips participants with the knowledge, confidence, and inspiration to pursue careers that will help meet the future healthcare needs of New Hanover County.

2026 iHPSS at a Glance

62 students participated
24 high schools represented
40 collaborative sessions
3 campus locations: UNCW, CFCC Downtown, and CFCC North Campus

What Students Experience

Explore Health Careers: Learn about a broad range of healthcare professions through a case study lens.
Clifton-Strengths Results and Exploration: Learn and explore strengths that can be applied personally or professionally.
Hands-On Learning: Participate in interactive laboratory and health science activities with the opportunity to earn first aid/CPR Certification.
Learn Through Collaboration: Explore how healthcare professionals work together to provide patient-centered care. Participate in team building and leadership activities.
Connect With Professionals: Learn directly from faculty, healthcare professionals, and community partners.
Explore College Pathways: Visit health science facilities at UNCW and CFCC.

^“ “iHPSS gave me a better understanding of the many aspects of the medical field and inspired me to begin preparing for college with confidence. The experience motivated me to seek out resources that will help set me up for success.” ^”

Amanda Berrios 2026 iHPSS participant