Humboldt County Office of Education: Health-Careers Education Summer Institute (HESI)

HESI (Health Career Exploration Summer Institute) is a free three-week competitive summer program that gives 26 motivated high school juniors and seniors the chance to explore their interest in health care and discover potential career paths in the field.

This program is vital to our community and helps keep students motivated to pursue careers in health care. As our current health care workforce is hurting, we hope students will return to the Humboldt County Workforce.

2026 marks the 9th year of this program.  Humboldt County Science Teachers Sara Dixon and Alicia Mengel return to co-instruct this year’s program. Sara has been involved with HESI since the beginning, and currently teaches Biology, AP Biology, Anatomy, and Biology & Community Health at Fortuna High. Alicia, who returns for her fourth year as a HESI instructor, teaches Biology & Community Health as well as Biology and Geoscience at Eureka Senior High School.

Why should you apply?

• Explore a wide range of exciting and dynamic careers in health care
• Gain hands on experience and insight from local health care professionals
• Get a firsthand look at our local hospitals, clinics, and other local health care facilities
• Earn an optional college credit (1 unit) through College of the Redwoods

Nightly homework is required as well as a final presentation to the hospital staff, school administration, teachers, family and friends.

Recommended Prerequisites: Biology & Community Health, Biology, and Chemistry

You must be at least 16 years of age to participate.