Fifty preselected local high school students thinking about pursuing a career in health sciences will be getting a taste of what postsecondary education options are available to them when they take part in a three-day fieldtrip next week.
Adventures in Healthcare, a joint venture which involves the Yellowhead Rotary Club, College of New Caledonia, University of Northern B.C., Northern Health and School District 57, is back May 8-10 after a three-year pandemic hiatus.
The tour, for Grade 10 and 11 students, shows them what it’s like to study and work in medicine, sonography, dentistry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychiatry, nursing and chemistry.
“CNC’s health science programs all offer hands-on learning activities,” explained Dr. Tamara Chambers-Richards, CNC’s dean of health sciences. “Students will experience a taste of each program as they take this adventure through health care, considering their career options.”
Since the program was introduced in 2017, 120 students have participated.
Industry professionals and program alumni who have gone on to healthcare careers will be on hand to provide feedback to the students.
“Northern Health, like all of B.C., is experiencing a huge need for health care professionals,” said Sandra Rossi, regional director of recruitment and retention at Northern Health.
“There is a massive range of career possibilities often unknown to young students. Adventures in Healthcare introduces students to approximately 50 of those careers, many requiring post-secondary education. Our past success with this program shows how well it works to attract local youth to health care opportunities.”
Ron Davis, chair of the Yellowhead Rotary Club, said there are similar programs involving Rotary Clubs in Terrace and Sechelt that are giving students a chance to sample healthcare careers.
