Montefiore Health Opportunities Program (Monte HOP)

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The Montefiore Health Opportunities Program (Monte HOP) is a summer enrichment program for students interested in health careers.

Monte HOP’s mission is to provide intensive enrichment and motivation for high school and college students with an interest in health careers. The program achieves this by offering exposure to a wide range of healthcare professionals, providing training in professional and educational skills, and introducing participants to the healthcare system as a whole. Launched in 2002, Monte HOP serves 12-15 students each summer, offering a diverse array of educational experiences, including hands-on workshops (suturing, CPR), health-related lectures, professional skill-building activities, community field trips, one-on-one mentoring by healthcare professionals, clinical observations ("shadowing"), and workshops for students and their families on financial aid and the medical school application process.

Monte HOP aims to inspire students to continue their education and pursue higher degrees in the health professions, with the goal of working in communities like the Bronx. Since its inception, Monte HOP has supported over 200 students, many of whom have gone on to careers in health. Currently, nine alumni are in medical school, ten have graduated from medical school, and sixteen have completed nursing degrees. The program stays in touch with its graduates, encouraging successful alumni to return and motivate current participants.

Students who are accepted into the Monte HOP program gain valuable knowledge and professional skills through:

• Participation in interactive health-related workshops
• Observing patient-care professional interactions and learning about the medical interview process
• Developing and refining professional skills for a career in health (resume building, interviewing, project presentation)