Teens With Stethoscope Logo
Shaping tomorrow’s healthcare leaders

A one-day peek into real healthcare careers.

Teens With Stethoscope is a free, one-day program by the Jersey Women Physician Alliance (JWPA) that helps high school students see what it’s actually like to work in healthcare.

For motivated high school students in New Jersey. Free to attend.

Short application. No experience required. Just curiosity.
75+ students expected
10+ physicians & mentors
1 day that can change your path

What is Teens With Stethoscope?

A calm, welcoming day where students can ask questions, try simple clinical skills, and talk to real physicians about how they got where they are.

Instead of a long lecture, students move through short, interactive stations: listening to heart sounds, learning how doctors think through a case, and hearing honest stories from women in medicine and other healthcare professionals.

Hands-on
Try simple skills with guidance from physicians and volunteers.
Real Talk
Ask about school, stress, and what the job is really like.
Next Steps
Leave with clear ideas on what to do in high school and beyond.
Mentorship
Meet women physicians and healthcare professionals who have been where you are.
Explore Careers
See paths in medicine, nursing, research, public health, and more—not just “doctor.”
Confidence
Practice asking questions and speaking up in a supportive, low-pressure setting.

Who is this for?

You don’t have to have everything figured out. If you’re curious about helping people, this is for you.

Middle and high school students
8th–12th graders (typically ages 13–18) who are curious about medicine, nursing, or any healthcare career.
Parents & guardians
Adults who want to understand the path to healthcare and how to support their teen.
Future mentors
Physicians and healthcare professionals who want to give back by sharing their story.

A calm, hands-on day

The day is broken into small, simple blocks so it never feels overwhelming. Plenty of breaks, chances to ask questions, and time to just look around.

  • Short skill stations (vitals, simple tools, how doctors think)
  • Small-group chats with physicians and residents
  • Panel with Q&A about college, med school, and other paths
Students at a workshop table
Physician explaining a concept
Group of students in a hospital setting
Panel discussion with mentors

Event snapshot

Exact details will appear on your flyer and confirmation email. Here’s the basic idea:

Date
March 21, 2026
Time
Approx. 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location
RWJUH / Auditorium, Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center, New Jersey
Cost
Free for selected students

Lunch and materials are provided. You’ll receive an email with what to bring and where to check in.

9:00 – 10:15
Welcome & intro to healthcare
Meet mentors, hear short stories, and settle in.
10:30 – 12:30
Hands-on stations
Rotate through skills, tools, and simple cases.
1:15 – 3:00
Panels & next steps
Ask questions and learn what to do after the event.

How to apply (3 quick steps)

1
Fill out the online form
Basic info + a short question about why you’re interested.
2
Wait for email
JWPA reviews applications and emails selected students and parents/guardians.
3
Confirm & show up
Sign the forms, mark your calendar, and come ready to explore.
For parents & guardians
You’ll receive all details by email, including parking, check-in, and contact information. A parent/guardian consent form is required for every student. You’re welcome to ask questions before and after the event.
Accessibility & special needs
If your student has medical, dietary, or accessibility needs, please let us know in the application or by email. We’ll do our best to accommodate and make the day comfortable, inclusive, and safe for them. We may reach out before the event to clarify any details so we can plan seating, materials, and support appropriately.

Event Agenda

View the full program schedule, station rotation overview, panelists, and what to expect on event day.

Program PDF (March 21, 2026 • RWJUH Auditorium)

Tip: If you’re on a phone, tap “View Program PDF” to open it in your browser PDF viewer.

Advisory Board

Teens With Stethoscope is guided by physicians and leaders who care deeply about mentoring the next generation.

Dr. Sudha Nahar
Dr. Sudha Nahar
Gastroenterologist / Allied Digestive Health, Founder / JWPA
Focus: digestive health, endoscopy awareness, and GI prevention.
Dr. Sameera Maganti
Dr. Sameera Maganti
Internist / RWJUH, Co-Chair / TWS
Focus: adult medicine, chronic care management, and whole-patient health.
Dr. Gloria A. Bachmann
Dr. Gloria A. Bachmann
Obstetrician-gynecologist / RWJUH, Member / JWPA
Focus: reproductive health, women’s wellness, and preventive care.
Dr. Christopher Gilligan
Dr. Christopher Gilligan
CMO / RWJUH, Co-Chair / TWS
Focus: pain health, targeted interventions, and functional restoration
Dr. Rachna Kulkarni
Dr. Rachna Kulkarni
Cardiologist / RWJUH, Member / JWPA
Focus: heart health, cardiovascular diagnostics, and disease prevention.
Dr. Rashmi Acharya
Dr. Rashmi Acharya
Obstetrician-gynecologist / IU Health, Member / JWPA
Focus: women’s health, reproductive care and maternal wellness.
Dr. Nidhi Goel
Dr. Nidhi Goel
Psychiatrist / HMH, Member / JWPA
Focus: mental health, behavioral science, and emotional well-being.
Dr. Sunita Kanumury
Dr. Sunita Kanumury
Allergist-immunologist / Atlantic Health, Member / JWPA
Focus: allergies, immune health and pediatric prevention.

Volunteers

Teens With Stethoscope is guided by physicians and volunteers who care deeply about mentoring the next generation.

Dr. Smita Lodha
Dr. Smita Lodha
Family Medicine / Queens Medical Services, Member / JWPA
Focus: adult medicine, chronic care management, and whole-patient health.
Dr. Esther Connor
Dr. Esther Connor
Gastroenterologist / MNGI, Member / TWS
Focus: digestive health, endoscopy awareness, and GI prevention.
Dr. Ritu Nahar
Dr. Ritu Nahar
Gastroenterologist / Allied Digestive Health, Member / JWPA
Focus: digestive disorders, GI screening and subspecialty pathways.
Leenam Dalal
Leenam Dalal
Teacher / BigDaa, Member / TWS
Focus: student learning, educational guidance, and academic growth.
Diana Quintanilla
Diana Quintanilla
Medical Assistant / Allied Digestive Health, Member / JWPA
Focus: patient support, clinical coordination, and compassionate care.
Julisa Gutierrez
Julisa Gutierrez
Medical Assistant / Allied Digestive Health, Member / JWPA
Focus: patient communication, hands-on assistance, and workflow efficiency.
Nohely Alvarez
Nohely Alvarez
Medical Assistant / Allied Digestive Health, Member / JWPA
Focus: clinical preparation, patient comfort, and reliable follow-up.
Nachia Larson
Nachia Larson
DEI Program Manager / MNGI, Member / HHCPC
Focus: program organization, operational planning, and community engagement.

Sponsors & partners

These organizations help make Teens With Stethoscope free and accessible to students.

Our current partners and supporting organizations:
Interested in partnering or sponsoring? Email us at teenswithstethoscopes@gmail.com .

Questions students and parents often ask

If you or your parents have questions, start here. You can also reach out directly to our team for more details.

Do I need a certain GPA?
No. We care more about curiosity and effort in your application than perfect grades.
Can I come by myself?
Yes. A parent/guardian must complete consent forms, but you’ll be with staff and volunteers for the day.
What should I wear or bring?
Comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes are recommended. We’ll email details and any forms before the event.
What about transportation?
Families are responsible for getting students to and from the event. We’ll share parking and drop-off details in the confirmation email.
Safety & support: The event is supervised by licensed physicians, volunteers, and staff. All activities are age-appropriate and focused on education and exploration.
Ready to see if healthcare is for you?
Apply today. If you’re even a little curious, this day is designed for you.