2026 THSA class information will be available May 1, 2026
TAP Health Summer Academy is your all-access pass to exploring the world of healthcare. Throughout the program, students build real-world career skills, practice leadership and communication, and get an up-close look at what it’s really like to work in medicine and healthcare.
Here’s what you’ll experience:
It’s a unique chance to discover your interests, grow your confidence, and see whether a future in healthcare is right for you.
CLICK HERE to download THSA flyer for sharing.
Click below to apply.
Please ask a trusted adult to write a letter of recommendation for you.
Give them plenty of time to submit the letter before the application deadline. It’s best to choose someone who knows you well—whether through school, work, sports, volunteering, or other activities. You may also ask someone who can speak to your character, strengths, or potential for a future in healthcare.
Submission Instructions:
Letters of recommendation must be submitted separately and must come directly from the recommender via email to: taphealth@healthcollab.org
The email should:
Please note: this email address is to be used for letters of recommendation only.
January 20, 2026
March 18, 2026
March 31, 2026
April 30, 2026
*Please note our application system automatically generates a time stamp. Applications are due by or before 11:59pm EST on March 18, 2026.
Yes. We may verify items such as test scores (optional to submit), school activities, or recommendation letters. Please make sure everything you share is accurate and up to date.
Yes! You can apply to one, two, or all three cohorts (TAP HC, TAP MD, and TAP RN).
A few important notes:
Yes. Your application must be 100% complete and submitted by the deadline to be considered.
Absolutely – that choice is yours. We do recommend:
No. All parts of the application must be submitted using the online application form.
The only exception: letters of recommendation must now be emailed directly from the Recommender.
If you want to revise your application, you may resubmit it. We will use the most recent timestamp as your official submission.
There is no advantage to turning in your application early – quality matters more than speed!
Join our growing network of healthcare professionals and students making an impact in their communities.
TAP Health is The Health Collaborative’s signature career-pipeline initiative for high school students. Our mission is to help build the next generation of healthcare professionals by connecting students directly with employers, educators, and training programs across our region. TAP Health Summer Academy (THSA) is a central part of that mission—providing a summer-long series of immersive programs designed to help students discover where their interests and strengths might lead them in healthcare.
What truly sets THSA apart is the breadth of exposure students receive. Instead of visiting a single site or program, participants engage with multiple hospitals, colleges, and healthcare organizations—often experiencing a new location and a new healthcare focus each day. This “all-access” model gives students a deeper, more authentic look at the diverse world of healthcare and helps them imagine the future they could create within it.
Students who complete TAP Health Summer Academy will:
To apply, you must be 15 or older by June 2026, currently in 10th or 11th grade, and living in the Greater Cincinnati/Southwest Ohio region (including Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana).
While transportation options may be available, accepted students will be responsible for their own transportation to and from events.
No. Our Selection Committee reviews all applications in order to select up to 100 students and place them into cohorts. Because we visit real healthcare sites with limited space, we can’t accept everyone each year. Not all students are able to be selected, because of the space and application-volume issue.
We usually accept around 100 students total. Cohorts typically look like this:
Numbers can shift depending on how many students apply to each area.
The overall experience is similar across all cohorts—you’ll learn about healthcare from lots of angles. The main differences are the focus areas:
Students choose one cohort but are welcome to attend events across all three.
Events are typically around 3.5 hours. We will provide snacks and/or meals when appropriate.
No, students are responsible for getting to and from events. Good news though — we cover parking costs or provide parking waivers for students who drive. Every event also comes with custom directions and clear drop-off/pick-up instructions to make things easier.
All THSA students receive a personalized white medical coat (yes, with your name on it!). After acceptance, you’ll get a sizing chart and submit your size in the registration system.
Under your lab coat, plan to wear business casual clothing and closed-toe shoes.
Students in THSA must submit several forms and health documents. All medical info is kept securely. Forms required (parent/guardian signature needed if under 18):
Tip: Getting medical paperwork can take time depending on your provider, so starting early is helpful. All health documentation must be submitted by May 31.
If accepted, you’ll receive detailed instructions on where and how to submit everything.
If accepted, students will register through our online system, where they will:
Registration and payment/waiver are due by April 27, and all forms are due by May 29.
A detailed Events Calendar will be provided to accepted students on March 31. We recommend waiting until then before asking more questions or worrying about scheduling decisions, since not all applicants are accepted.
If you’d like to see a general overview of the calendar and event schedule now, you can CLICK HERE to use the linked calendar description document — just note that details will continue to change as host sites confirm their dates.
There are! Please CLICK HERE to check out our regularly updated Regional Career Exploration Opportunities Guide.
The Health Collaborative is a non-profit organization and we’re happy to offer our programming as a benefit to the current and future medical community. There is no fee to apply for THSA, but if accepted, students pay a modest participation fee of $300 to help cover program costs. We never want cost to stand in the way so financial waivers are available to any student who needs one, and requesting a waiver does not affect your application in any way.
