Mid-Central Region Center AHEC Hosts Health Career Pipeline Graduation Ceremony
The Health Career Pipeline Program, a partnership between the CMU College of Medicine and the Mid Central Region Area Health Education Center (AHEC) hosted a graduation ceremony on Monday November 21st for 17 high school students that participated in a nine week curriculum focusing on health careers. High school students are 9th and 10th graders from Montabella High School in Montcalm County, Mt. Pleasant High School, and Sacred Heart Academy in Isabella County. The program uses a tiered mentoring approach with high school students being mentored by undergraduate students from the College of Health Professions. The weekly sessions are created and managed by two M2 students, Kathryn Roach and Jeffrey Cooper, and two M1 students, Adam Kloha and Chioma Ogbejesi along with AHEC staff members Lisa Hadden and April Osburn. Each session focuses on an aspect of health, fitness, nutrition, community service, patient care skills, and college options summed up with a health career speed networking night when students and mentors participate in a fast pace career networking workshop as students are exposed to representatives to multiple career paths in the health care industry including; medicine, nursing, pharmacy, health sciences, physical therapy and athletic training. Dr. Tom Masterson, Dean of the College of Health Professions, served as the keynote speaker. Families attended the graduation in the CMED Auditorium where students, introduced by their mentor, gave a brief review of their hopes, dreams, motivation and a health field they wish to pursue. Dr. Joel Lanphear and Dr. Marie Matte of the College of Medicine were also recognized in appreciation for their avid support of this program. The Health Careers Pipeline is offered each fall and CMED students receive Service Learning credit for their experience.