Philadelphia Students Joined Lang Medical Scholars Program

Thirty-two students received their white coats as the inaugural class of a new six-year academic medical initiative.

Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Scholarships

Bold vector editorial illustration of a white lab coat hanging on a wooden hook against a brick wall, symbolizing medical scholarship. — Thirty-two Philadelphia students have been formally inducted into the Lang Medical Scholars Program, a six-year academic medical initiative funded by the Eugene Lang foundation. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Thirty-two Philadelphia students have been inducted into the Lang Medical Scholars Program, a new initiative that provides six years of medical-school education. The cohort, which includes students from E.W. Rhodes Elementary and other city schools, were formally welcomed during a white coat ceremony.

Why it matters

The program aims to support curious young learners by providing them with an immersive, long-term academic medical setting. By bridging the gap between local elementary students and a university environment, it creates a pipeline for future medical professionals.

The inaugural class consists of 32 seventh graders, specifically 22 girls and 10 boys. These students were selected from applicants across 35 Philadelphia schools following an interview process.

The players

Eugene Lang

He was a philanthropist who established the foundation that funds this medical scholars program.

Barbara Klock

She is the program lead who proposed the initiative to Temple University and managed student recruitment.

Temple University

This is the Philadelphia-based research university that provides the facilities and academic framework for the students.

The details

Temple University provides the facilities and institutional backing for the program, which is funded by the private foundation of Eugene Lang. Students will begin their formal studies on October 3 to kick off the six-year commitment.

September 19: Students received their professional white coats.
October 3: Students begin their academic program studies.

Culture Shift

The Lang Medical Scholars Program marks a notable shift in how academic medical centers cultivate local talent during the middle school years. This model rejects passive outreach in favor of long-term engagement that supports students from grade seven through high school.

The program requires a six-year commitment from participants, impacting the daily academic routines of the students involved. Families of students attending E.W. Rhodes Elementary and other city schools will navigate this enrichment schedule alongside traditional middle and high school requirements.

The takeaway

This program illustrates the importance of early intervention in medical career paths for local students. Parents and educators can watch for annual enrollment cycles as the program expands to include a new grade level every year.