These partners spent over eight months organizing this event to ensure it provided students with the best possible experience. 

Approximately 180 students attended the event, where they met with 15 healthcare employers, educational institutions, and organizations to learn about career opportunities they offer. Employers provided many interactive activities that engaged the students and showcased the many exciting possibilities that a career in healthcare can offer. At various stations, students were able to practice bandaging and splinting sports injuries, view samples under a microscope, play a life-sized game of “Operation”, view germs under a blacklight, and even try their best at deciphering a doctor’s handwriting.

The students also increased their knowledge of healthcare careers through a “day in the life” presentation that showcased the daily responsibilities of healthcare professionals. During the lunch break, a nutritionist spoke on the value of a healthy diet. 

Those who shared information with students at the event came from a wide variety of local healthcare organizations, but they all had one common goal: helping the next generation of healthcare workers explore the range of healthcare careers to find their best fit. Ashley Damery of Memorial Health attended the event to promote pharmacology and Memorial’s clinical labs, but she also expressed a desire to help students explore many other options. “We also have some general career information for students that are interested in many of the Allied Health Programs here at Richland and some of the other secondary ed partners that we have”, she explained. 

Crystal Kitchens, coordinator of the Healthcare Documentation and Healthcare Information Technology programs at Richland, expressed a similar objective for the event. “I just want students to see a variety of different programs that might spark their interest,” she said. “I just like being able to talk to the students and see what they’re interested in and maybe guide them in the right field.”

As for the students, many in attendance already had an interest in pursuing a healthcare career, and they saw this event as an opportunity to learn more and build connections to help them moving forward. Rylie Cohn, a student from Warrensburg-Latham High School, said she has always been interested in becoming a doctor or working in another area in the medical field, and she expressed an excitement to explore these interests at the Healthcare Day event. “Whenever I found out that this was an opportunity, I just kind of jumped it.”

As the students in attendance prepare to graduate high school within the next few years, they can do so with an increased understanding of the many career options that exist in the healthcare field. In addition, they learned how healthcare careers impact the lives of those in their communities. “I have an interest in helping people in our community”, said student Airella Wilson when asked about what made a career in healthcare attractive to her. 

Workforce Investment Solutions is extremely appreciative of the many partners and employers who helped make this event possible and who took the time to invest in the next generation of healthcare professionals. This fall, Millikin University will host a similar healthcare event for students in Junior High School. Workforce is excited to see this event continue to grow and make a difference in the community.