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JWPA Flagship Program · Shaping Tomorrow's Healthcare Leaders

A one-day peek into
real healthcare careers.

Teens With Stethoscopes is a free, one-day program by the Jersey Women Physician Alliance (JWPA) that helps high school students see what it's actually like to work in healthcare.

Founded by Dr. Sudha Nahar · Founder & President, JWPA
Apply Now — Free View Flyer Program PDF

Short application. No experience required. Just curiosity.

75+
Students expected
10+
Physicians & mentors
1 Day
That changes your path
Students at TWS healthcare workshop
Students learning CPR
OB/GYN teaching station
Blood pressure station
Free
Always free
for students
75+
Students
expected
10+
Physicians
& mentors
NJ
Statewide
reach
Mar '27
Next event
Edison, NJ
About the Program

What is Teens With Stethoscopes?

A calm, welcoming day where students can ask questions, try simple clinical skills, and talk to real physicians about how they got where they are. Instead of a long lecture, students move through short, interactive stations — listening to heart sounds, learning how doctors think through a case, and hearing honest stories from women in medicine.

Founded by Dr. Sudha Nahar, TWS was built to open the doors of medicine to students who might never otherwise step inside a clinical setting — especially those from underrepresented backgrounds and under-resourced schools across New Jersey.

"I founded TWS because I wanted every young person with a dream of medicine to have someone who looks like them show them the way."

— Dr. Sudha Nahar, Gastroenterologist · Founder, JWPA & TWS
Hands-On
Try simple skills with guidance from physicians and volunteers.
Real Talk
Ask about school, stress, and what the job is really like.
Next Steps
Leave with clear ideas on what to do in high school and beyond.
Mentorship
Meet women physicians who have been where you are.
Explore Careers
See paths in medicine, nursing, research, and public health.
Confidence
Practice asking questions in a supportive, low-pressure setting.
Who Can Attend

Who is this for?

You don't have to have everything figured out. If you're curious about helping people, this is for you.

Middle & High School Students

8th–12th graders (ages 13–18) curious about medicine, nursing, or any healthcare career. No GPA minimum. No prior experience needed.

Parents & Guardians

Adults who want to understand the path to healthcare and how to best support their teen's interest in a medical career.

Future Mentors

Physicians and healthcare professionals who want to give back by sharing their story, running a station, or sitting on the physician panel.

Event Details

Event Snapshot

The next TWS event is planned for March 2027. Date and schedule details will be confirmed and sent by email to all accepted applicants.

Date
March 2027
Exact date TBC
Time
Approx. 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Venue
RWJUH / Auditorium, Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center, New Jersey
Cost
Free for all students

Lunch and materials are provided. You'll receive an email with what to bring and where to check in.

9:00 – 10:15
Welcome & Intro
Meet mentors, hear short stories, and settle in.
10:30 – 12:30
Hands-On Stations
Rotate through skills, tools, and simple cases.
1:15 – 3:00
Panels & Next Steps
Ask questions and learn what to do after the event.

How to apply — 3 quick steps

1
Fill out the online form
Basic info and a short question about why you're interested. Takes about 5 minutes.
2
Wait for email
JWPA reviews applications and emails selected students and parents/guardians.
3
Confirm & show up
Sign the forms, mark your calendar, and come ready to explore.

For Parents & Guardians

You'll receive all details by email — parking, check-in, and contacts. A parent/guardian consent form is required for every student.

Accessibility & Special Needs

If your student has medical, dietary, or accessibility needs, please note it in the application or email us. We'll do our best to make the day comfortable and inclusive.

Program Agenda

Event Agenda

View the full program schedule, station rotation, panelists, and what to expect on event day.

TWS Program PDF
Inaugural Event, March 21, 2026 · Available for reference. 2027 agenda coming soon.
View Program PDF Download

Tip: On mobile, tap "View Program PDF" to open in your browser's PDF viewer.

Leadership

Advisory Board

Teens With Stethoscopes is guided by physicians and leaders who care deeply about mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Dr. Sudha Nahar
Dr. Sudha Nahar
Gastroenterologist · Allied Digestive Health
Founder · JWPA & TWS
Focus: digestive health, endoscopy awareness, and GI prevention.
Dr. Sameera Maganti
Dr. Sameera Maganti
Internist · RWJUH
Co-Chair · TWS
Focus: adult medicine, chronic care management, and whole-patient health.
Dr. Gloria A. Bachmann
Dr. Gloria A. Bachmann
OB-GYN · RWJUH
Member · JWPA
Focus: reproductive health, women's wellness, and preventive care.
Dr. Christopher Gilligan
Dr. Christopher Gilligan
CMO · RWJUH
Co-Chair · TWS
Focus: pain health, targeted interventions, and functional restoration.
Dr. Rachna Kulkarni
Dr. Rachna Kulkarni
Cardiologist · RWJUH
Member · JWPA
Focus: heart health, cardiovascular diagnostics, and disease prevention.
Dr. Rashmi Acharya
Dr. Rashmi Acharya
OB-GYN · IU Health
Member · JWPA
Focus: women's health, reproductive care and maternal wellness.
Dr. Nidhi Goel
Dr. Nidhi Goel
Psychiatrist · HMH
Member · JWPA
Focus: mental health, behavioral science, and emotional well-being.
Dr. Sunita Kanumury
Dr. Sunita Kanumury
Allergist-Immunologist · Atlantic Health
Member · JWPA
Focus: allergies, immune health and pediatric prevention.
Team

Volunteers

The physicians, educators, and healthcare professionals who show up to make TWS possible for every student.

Dr. Smita Lodha
Dr. Smita Lodha
Family Medicine · Queens Medical Services
Member · JWPA
Focus: adult medicine, chronic care management, and whole-patient health.
Dr. Esther Connor
Dr. Esther Connor
Gastroenterologist · MNGI
Member · TWS
Focus: digestive health, endoscopy awareness, and GI prevention.
Dr. Ritu Nahar
Dr. Ritu Nahar
Gastroenterologist · Allied Digestive Health
Member · JWPA
Focus: digestive disorders, GI screening and subspecialty pathways.
Leenam Dalal
Leenam Dalal
Teacher · BigDaa
Member · TWS
Focus: student learning, educational guidance, and academic growth.
Diana Quintanilla
Diana Quintanilla
Medical Assistant · Allied Digestive Health
Member · JWPA
Focus: patient support, clinical coordination, and compassionate care.
Julisa Gutierrez
Julisa Gutierrez
Medical Assistant · Allied Digestive Health
Member · JWPA
Focus: patient communication, hands-on assistance, and workflow efficiency.
Nohely Alvarez
Nohely Alvarez
Medical Assistant · Allied Digestive Health
Member · JWPA
Focus: clinical preparation, patient comfort, and reliable follow-up.
Nachia Larson
Nachia Larson
DEI Program Manager · MNGI
Member · HHCPC
Focus: program organization, operational planning, and community engagement.
Partners

Sponsors & Partners

These organizations help make Teens With Stethoscopes free and accessible for every student.

Our current partners and supporting organizations
Interested in partnering or sponsoring? Email teenswithstethoscopes@gmail.com or visit our Sponsorship page →
FAQ

Questions students and parents often ask

Start here. You can also reach out to teenswithstethoscopes@gmail.com for more details.

Do I need a certain GPA?
No. We care more about curiosity and effort in your application than perfect grades. Every student who is genuinely interested is encouraged to apply.
Can I come by myself?
Yes. A parent/guardian must complete consent forms, but you'll be with trained staff and physician volunteers throughout the entire day.
What should I wear or bring?
Comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes are recommended. We'll email specific details and any forms before the event. Lunch and materials are provided.
What about transportation?
Families are responsible for getting students to and from the venue. Parking and drop-off details are shared in your confirmation email.
Is TWS really free?
Yes — completely free. Dr. Sudha Nahar founded TWS to remove every financial barrier to physician mentorship. No application fee, no program fee, no cost to families.
What happens after TWS day?
Students leave with physician mentor contacts, the JWPA Pre-Med Roadmap, and next-step guidance. Many mentorship relationships formed at TWS continue long after the event.
Safety & Support: The event is supervised by licensed physicians, volunteers, and staff. All activities are age-appropriate and focused on education and exploration.
Ready to see if healthcare is for you?

Apply today. If you're even a little curious, this day is designed for you. Short application. No experience required.

Apply Now Email the JWPA Team
Done!