Leaders with Education Foundation took middle schoolers on medical career exploration field trips
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) -90 middle school students from Howard Bishop and Lincoln Middle School will learn and explore different pathways in the medical field.
The initiative is a partnership between The Education Foundation of Alachua County and the Alachua County Public Schools’ Career and Technical Education (CTE) department. it’s funded by a grant for $18,000 as part of a two-year $500,000 grant from the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation to the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations (Consortium) to help local education foundations across that state.
“It’s actually one of the biggest needs in our community,” said Jayne Moraski, Education Foundation’s executive director. “We’re trying to have students see beyond doctors and nurses, which are incredibly important too.”
Students heard from high school students in Eastside High’s medical skills program and the Academy of Fire & EMS at professional academies magnet at Loften High.
They learned about sonography, radiology, patient transportation, CPR, and more careers.
“It’s amazing for them to hear especially from older peers about what health benefits or what benefits they can have from learning about the health care programs in our schools,” said Jill Gelner with the Career and Technical Education Department. “These 8th graders are going to see the opportunities ahead of them and how that gets them jobs after they graduate from school.”
They’ll also hear from professionals from HCA Florida North Florida, UF College of Medicine, and Santa Fe College’s health sciences department.
Moraski added, “I think if they had the opportunity to see these routes and visualize themselves in professions earlier, it will help them focus and I think this what that can provide for families.”
The field trip for Howard bishop middle school students was scheduled for today. Lincoln Middle School students will have their field trip next Wednesday, October 18th.
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