{"id":577,"date":"2016-05-13T15:07:13","date_gmt":"2016-05-13T19:07:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/?page_id=577"},"modified":"2026-03-22T15:03:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T19:03:33","slug":"great-explorations-doctors-academy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/pathway-programs\/great-explorations-doctors-academy\/","title":{"rendered":"Great Explorations Doctors Academy"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-577\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-577-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-577-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-577-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_metaslider_widget panel-first-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div id=\"metaslider-id-3438\" style=\"width: 100%;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-80-0 ml-slider-pro-2-36-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-3438 ml-slider homepage_caption ms-theme-default nav-hidden\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"Slideshow\" aria-label=\"Doctors Academy\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_3438\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_3438\">\n            <ul class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-3439 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-3439\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/61\/2021\/01\/2025-Summer-Doctors-Academy-Cover.png\" height=\"500\" width=\"1170\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-3438 slide-3439\" title=\"2025-Summer-Doctors-Academy-Cover\" \/><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-3475 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-3475\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/61\/2021\/01\/CT-Science-Center.png\" height=\"500\" width=\"1170\" alt=\"Student in white and orange striped space suit with a simulated space landing background taken at the Connecticut Science Center field trip.\" class=\"slider-3438 slide-3475\" title=\"CT-Science-Center\" \/><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-3455 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-3455\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/61\/2025\/09\/4-Doctors-Academy-scaled-1170x500.jpeg\" height=\"500\" width=\"1170\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-3438 slide-3455\" title=\"4 Doctors Academy\" \/><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-3454 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-3454\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/61\/2025\/09\/3-Doctors-Academy-scaled-1170x500.jpeg\" height=\"500\" width=\"1170\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-3438 slide-3454\" title=\"3 Doctors Academy\" \/><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-3456 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-3456\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/61\/2021\/01\/5-Doctors-Academy.jpg\" height=\"500\" width=\"1170\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-3438 slide-3456\" title=\"5-Doctors-Academy\" \/><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-3457 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-3457\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/61\/2025\/09\/6-Doctors-Academy-1170x500.jpeg\" height=\"500\" width=\"1170\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-3438 slide-3457\" title=\"6 Doctors Academy\" \/><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-3464 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-3464\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/61\/2025\/09\/16-Doctors-Academy-scaled-1170x500.jpg\" height=\"500\" width=\"1170\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-3438 slide-3464\" title=\"16 Doctors Academy\" \/><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-3461 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-3461\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/61\/2025\/09\/13-Doctors-Academy-scaled-1170x500.jpg\" height=\"500\" width=\"1170\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-3438 slide-3461\" title=\"13 Doctors Academy\" \/><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-3462 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-3462\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/61\/2025\/09\/14-Doctors-Academy-scaled-1170x500.jpg\" height=\"500\" width=\"1170\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-3438 slide-3462\" title=\"14 Doctors Academy\" \/><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-3479 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-3479\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/61\/2025\/09\/Art-Exhibit-1170x500.png\" height=\"500\" width=\"1170\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-3438 slide-3479\" title=\"Art Exhibit\" \/><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-3463 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-3463\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/61\/2025\/09\/15-Doctors-Academy-scaled-1170x500.jpg\" height=\"500\" width=\"1170\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-3438 slide-3463\" title=\"15 Doctors Academy\" \/><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-3477 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-3477\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/61\/2025\/09\/Heart-Dissection.png\" height=\"500\" width=\"1170\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-3438 slide-3477\" title=\"Heart Dissection\" \/><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-3465 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"slide-3465\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/61\/2025\/09\/IMG_6300-scaled-1170x500.jpeg\" height=\"500\" width=\"1170\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-3438 slide-3465\" title=\"IMG_6300\" \/><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-577-0-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_black-studio-tinymce widget_black_studio_tinymce panel-last-child\" data-index=\"1\" ><div class=\"textwidget\"><h2>Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span>The Great Explorations Doctors Academy offers<\/span> a four-week, Monday through Friday, Summer Academic Enrichment Program for rising 8th-grade participants. Students receive instruction in language arts, math, science, and college awareness classes and engage in educational programs to raise awareness in the health professions. Students are provided breakfast and lunch. If the student is a Hartford resident, transportation is provided as well.<\/li>\n<li>Offers a 21-week Saturday Academy during the academic school year where 8th-grade students can continue to strengthen their academic skills and college preparation.<\/li>\n<li>Parent\/Guardian Orientation Workshops are held for all students participating in the summer and Saturday Academy Program.<\/li>\n<li>Parental Seminar Series are held for parents\/guardians of all students participating in the program.<\/li>\n<li><span>The HCOP department provides a $4,000 fellowship for program expenses and provides qualified students with an earned stipend.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Geared towards students who meet certain socio-economic guidelines (low income and\/or first generation to attend college) and demonstrate a strong motivation and potential to enroll in a four-year college program. See application for additional qualification criteria.<\/li>\n<li>For more information and highlighted experiences, please check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/61\/2024\/08\/Doctors-Academy-Booklet_Final-3.pdf\">\u201cWhere Are They Now\u201d<\/a> booklet.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"fs-text3\">Important Dates<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>October 9, 2025: College Admissions Panel<\/li>\n<li>October 18, 2025 to May 2, 2026: 21-week Saturday Academy<\/li>\n<li>June 22, 2026 to July 17, 2026: 4-week, Monday \u2013 Friday Summer Program<\/li>\n<li>May 1, 2026: Application deadline for new participants<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Applicant Criteria<\/h3>\n<p>All Applicants Should:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Be a rising eighth grader.<\/li>\n<li>Have a \u2018B\u2019 average or better.<\/li>\n<li>Submit an essay.<\/li>\n<li>Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.<\/li>\n<li>Provide two letters of recommendation from a Science or Math teacher or guidance counselor.<\/li>\n<li>Submit a completed application form.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>How to Apply<\/h3>\n<p>Submit a completed\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/uconn.co1.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_b3KQB4oKDsCHVL8\">application form<\/a> using the online system. An <a href=\"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/61\/2026\/03\/2020-Aetna-HPPI-Doctors-Academy-Application.docx\">application is available<\/a> for you to work on the components prior to submitting online. An online submission is required for your application to be reviewed.<\/p>\n<h3>Contact<\/h3>\n<p>Tracey Higgins<br \/>\nAdministrative Program Assistant II<br \/>\nDepartment of Health Career Opportunity Programs<br \/>\nUConn Health<br \/>\n263 Farmington Avenue<br \/>\nFarmington, CT 06030-3920<br \/>\nPhone: 860-679-8031<br \/>\nFax: 860-679-7223<br \/>\nEmail: <a href=\"mailto:hcopacademy@uchc.edu\" rel=\"\">hcopacademy@uchc.edu<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Kerry-Ann Stewart, Ph.D.<br \/>\nAssistant Director<br \/>\nDepartment of Health Career Opportunity Programs<br \/>\nUConn Health<br \/>\n263 Farmington Avenue<br \/>\nFarmington, CT 06030-3920<br \/>\nPhone: 860-679-8031<br \/>\nFax: 860-679-7223<br \/>\nEmail: <a href=\"mailto:hcopacademy@uchc.edu\">hcopacademy@uchc.edu<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative The Great Explorations Doctors Academy offers a four-week, Monday through Friday, Summer Academic Enrichment Program for rising 8th-grade participants. Students receive instruction in language arts, math, science, and college awareness classes and engage in educational programs to raise awareness in the health professions. Students are provided breakfast and lunch. If [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":0,"parent":548,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-15 08:28:51","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/577"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=577"}],"version-history":[{"count":71,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/577\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3553,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/577\/revisions\/3553"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/548"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.uconn.edu\/hcop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=577"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}