St. Augustine Prep Student Earns Spot in Elite Manhattan Medical Immersion Program

Sometimes life’s biggest setbacks reveal our greatest purpose.

For St. Augustine Prep senior John “Johnny” Godfrey, a torn ACL that temporarily sidelined him from the sports he loved became the unexpected beginning of a journey toward a future in medicine.

This summer, Johnny was selected to participate in the prestigious Manhattan Medical Immersion Program, an intensive experience that provides high school students with firsthand exposure to the medical profession. With only a small number of students accepted each year from a highly competitive applicant pool, the program offered Johnny an opportunity few high school students ever experience.

Working alongside physicians in small-group settings, Johnny learned practical clinical skills, observed advanced medical procedures, performed suturing techniques, and participated in hands-on anatomy experiences using real cadavers. The program also introduced him to surgeons and medical professionals representing a variety of specialties while connecting him with like-minded students from across the country who share a passion for healthcare.

For Johnny, however, the experience began long before he arrived in Manhattan.

“What first sparked my interest in medicine was tearing my ACL,” he wrote in his application to the program. “Going through surgery, physical therapy, and months of recovery helped open my eyes to what doctors do every day. Watching my orthopedic surgeon explain everything about the procedure was fascinating, and I realized I wanted to help others the same way my doctor helped me.”

That personal experience inspired Johnny to pursue opportunities that would allow him to explore a career in medicine while still in high school.

When the opportunity to apply for the Manhattan Medical Immersion Program became available, College Counselor David Powis, College Counseling Administrative Assistant Kathy Shelton P’04 ’12, and teachers John Murphy ’13 and Kimberly Shaner worked alongside Johnny throughout the application process. From gathering transcripts and preparing application materials to writing letters of recommendation, each played a role in helping him submit a competitive application.

“Johnny worked directly with physicians in a small-group setting, gained practical skills in suturing, performed advanced procedures on real cadavers, and got to examine the field of medicine from many perspectives alongside some of the top surgeons in Manhattan,” his parents shared following the program.

Perhaps even more meaningful than the technical skills was the clarity Johnny gained about his future.

“Best of all,” his family said, “it confirmed and sparked Johnny’s interest in pursuing a career in medicine and helping others, just as others have helped Johnny.”

Experiences like Johnny’s reflect St. Augustine Prep’s commitment to helping students discover not only what they excel at, but who they are called to become. Whether through advanced STEM coursework, college counseling, leadership opportunities, athletics, or experiential learning, Hermits are encouraged to pursue their passions with purpose while preparing for success beyond graduation.

For students considering careers in healthcare, medicine, or biomedical sciences, early exposure to the profession can be transformational. Programs like the Manhattan Medical Immersion Program allow aspiring physicians to experience the realities of the medical field while developing valuable skills, confidence, and professional relationships before they even begin college.

Johnny returned to campus this summer with more than new knowledge—he returned with certainty.

What began as a difficult sports injury ultimately became the catalyst for discovering a vocation centered on healing others.

At St. Augustine Prep, those moments of discovery are exactly what a Brotherhood built on Augustinian values is designed to inspire.