MERIT Health Leadership Academy at CollegeBound
As of July 31, 2026, MERIT Health Leadership Academy and the CollegeBound Foundation have merged to form MERIT Health Leadership Academy at CollegeBound.
Founded to increase access to careers in healthcare and STEM fields, MERIT has helped talented Baltimore-area students develop the academic skills, professional experiences, and confidence needed to pursue careers as physicians, researchers, healthcare professionals, and community leaders. CollegeBound has empowered Baltimore City students to achieve success in college and beyond. Together, MERIT Health Leadership Academy at CollegeBound combines MERIT’s proven healthcare pathway model with CollegeBound’s comprehensive college access and success programming, creating an even stronger foundation for student achievement.
Through this partnership, MERIT students will continue to receive rigorous academic enrichment, healthcare and STEM exposure, mentoring, college preparation, leadership development, and career readiness support while benefiting from CollegeBound’s broader network of college success resources.
For Our High School Students
MERIT Health Leadership Academy at CollegeBound is a comprehensive academic and career mentorship program for Baltimore City students from underrepresented backgrounds who aspire to careers in healthcare and STEM. Students are selected during their sophomore year and participate in a multi-year program that prepares them for success in college, professional school, and the healthcare workforce
Our program includes:
- Weekly Saturday classes focused on STEM enrichment, health disparities, health careers exploration, SAT preparation, and college readiness.
- Personalized college admissions guidance, including college tours, application support, financial aid counseling, and scholarship assistance.
- Professional summer internships that provide hands-on experience in hospitals, research laboratories, and community health organizations.
- Clinical shadowing opportunities with healthcare professionals across a wide range of specialties.
- Long-term mentoring relationships with educators, healthcare professionals, college students, and community leaders.
- Leadership development opportunities that prepare students to become health advocates and change agents in their communities.
- A supportive network of peers, staff, alumni, and healthcare partners invested in student success from high school through college and beyond.
For Our College Students
Graduates of the high school program continue to receive support as members of the MERIT and CollegeBound alumni community. Scholars gain access to advising, mentorship, professional networking opportunities, and resources that support persistence through college and preparation for healthcare and STEM careers.
Alumni support includes:
- Continued college advising and success coaching.
- Connections to healthcare and STEM professionals.
- Professional development and networking opportunities.
- Guidance on graduate and professional school pathways.
- Career exploration, internship, and employment resources.
- A lifelong community of healthcare leaders and changemakers.
For Parents and Families
Family engagement is a critical component of student success. MERIT Health Leadership Academy at CollegeBound works closely with parents, guardians, and supporters throughout a scholar’s high school and college journey. Families are recognized as important partners in helping students achieve their academic, personal, and professional goals.
Get Involved
Volunteer: Healthcare professionals, educators, researchers, college students, and community members can serve as mentors, guest speakers, tutors, and internship supervisors to help scholars achieve their goals.
Healthcare and Corporate Partnerships: Hospitals, universities, research institutions, and businesses can partner with the program by offering internships, job-shadowing experiences, workshops and more.
Support Our Mission: Donations and sponsorships help Baltimore students access academic enrichment, internships, college advising and career opportunities. Donate online or mail a check to our office at 2507 N. Howard Street, Suite 200, Baltimore, MD 21218. Please include MERIT in the memo line.
Contact Us
To learn more about MERIT Health Leadership Academy at CollegeBound or to get involved, contact us at:
Email: kgranville@collegeboundfoundation.org
Phone: 410-783-2905