Sparking Interest in Health Care Careers

UH Elyria Medical Center Welcomes Back High School Students for First Time Since Pandemic Began

Emma Bruewer and Alexis Alflen handled a defibrillator, examined specimens under a microscope and learned the uses of a Lucas device for continuous chest compressions in an exciting week of career exploration with fellow high school students at UH Elyria Medical Center.

During the recent Med Tech Career Week, the hospital became a real-world classroom for hands-on learning by 30 Amherst Steele High School students studying to enter health care careers. These juniors and seniors will earn 34 hours of credit from Lorain County Community College taking classes like anatomy and physiology and experience first-hand how their studies apply to patient care.

Departments from nursing to therapies to pharmacy and radiology were eager to display and discuss the benefits of health care careers in their fields. Instructor Kim Haney, coordinating with Lois Koehler of Volunteer Services to set up the four-day experience, said the students were eager for the opportunity after the pandemic imposed a “three-year spring break.” While other hospitals balked at welcoming students back, UH understood the value, given staffing shortages across the spectrum.

“We’re incredibly grateful to UH,” said Haney, a former head athletic trainer at the high school who started this program 25 years ago. “UH is the one that has busted open the doors very enthusiastically in getting us back. This is the real-world stuff, the good stuff. And we’ve been missing the good stuff for several years.

“This is really about that career exploration and mentorship. They’re shadowing and engaging in mentor-type relationships with health care professionals. If the kids were comfortable in that environment, maybe they’ll come back and work for UH.”

Students met with therapy (physical, occupational, speech and respiratory), nursing, the Emergency Department, radiology, biomedical engineering, lab/pathology and pharmacy. The week concluded with Human Resources providing interview practice and a closing talk from Chief Medical Officer Elizabeth Streby, MD.

Alflen was drawn to physical therapy, yet intrigued by areas like biomedical engineering that she’d never considered before. Bruewer said the career week solidified her decision to pursue nursing.

“Coming here has helped me make sure that I really want to do this,” said the senior, an athlete who has had orthopedic surgery at UH. “I like UH. They care, genuinely.”

Dr. Streby hopes this program can be replicated in other area high schools, including Elyria and Lorain. She wants students to see aspects of being a nurse or doctor they may not have realized, or perhaps spark an interest in a field they did not know existed.

“I see opportunities for kids who may not be going to medical school or nursing school, but may want a career in the health care field. My vision is that kids get trained and work and live in their community. There are some very cool jobs in the hospital.”