A future shortage of health care providers across Nebraska is prompting a community effort to prepare current high school students for health care careers. An alliance between the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and Omaha area school districts will give high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to take college-level courses in preparation for careers in health care.
“A strong science background is part of a critical foundation which will prepare students for multiple health care professions,” said Bob Bartee, UNMC vice chancellor for external affairs. “In addition, the alliance will train students from diverse backgrounds to meet the long-term health care needs of our state.”
The alliance will expose students to the varied opportunities in health care related professions through coursework, hands-on experiences and mentoring, he said.
Students can begin applying for a spot in alliance thanks to the generosity of The Sherwood Foundation — which provided a large portion of the funding for the partnership. Interested students can select from several courses which will be offered in the fall semester of 2010.
The courses — specifically designed for high school students — will be taught by UNMC faculty on the UNMC campus. Some of the topics include innovation of medical technologies, medical decision making and biomedical research. The courses expand on high school classes by allowing students to gain experience in clinic settings and work in labs with world-renowned UNMC researchers, faculty and staff.
Most of the courses offered in this program will be eligible for dual enrollment credit with the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO).
“These classes will not only build on student’s current science knowledge but also allow students from across the metro to work together to learn advanced concepts,” said Virginia Tilden, D.N.Sc., UNMC dean of the College of Nursing.
According to the Nebraska Department of Education Career Connection, health science careers ranks number one among students. In addition, student survey results from other Omaha-area school districts indicate a high level of interest from hundreds of students who plan to pursue health care careers. District leaders said the alliance fits students’ needs and gives them greater access to potential professions.
“This is a win-win for students in our district,” said Kevin Riley, superintendent for Gretna Public Schools. “Our students will be able to observe and work alongside health care professionals and researchers while gaining the needed skills for their future.”
In addition to the coursework, students will be paired with UNMC student and faculty mentors. This mentoring component aims to bridge achievement gaps and provide one-on-one support to guarantee student success.
“The courses contain rigorous science concepts that will stretch students’ current knowledge and challenge them in new ways,” said Dan Sitzman, past-president, Nebraska Association of Teachers of Science. “We hope this builds upon the skills and excitement in the students’ previous science courses and will jump-start their careers in a wide-range of health related professions."
“For as long as I can remember, I have had an interest in a health care career,” said Jabria Spencer, Bellevue West student. “The alliance will give students like me a chance to expand our horizons and options for our future. I plan to apply and hope to be selected in the first class.”
While students must meet eligibility requirements, the alliance is open to all students in participating districts. It will welcome its first group of 35 students in the fall.
Parents and students will receive detailed course descriptions in the coming weeks. Interested students should contact their guidance counselors for an application. For more information, go to the Web site, www.unmc.edu/alliance
As the state’s only academic health science center, UNMC is on the leading edge of health care. Breakthroughs are possible because hard-working researchers, educators and clinicians are resolved to work together to fuel discovery. In 2009, UNMC’s extramural research support topped $100 million for the first time, resulting in the creation of 3,600 jobs in Nebraska. UNMC’s academic excellence is shown through its award-winning programs, and its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through its commitment to education, research, patient care and outreach, UNMC and its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, have established themselves as one of the country’s leading health care centers. UNMC’s physician practice group, UNMC Physicians, includes 550 physicians in 50 specialties and subspecialties who practice primarily in The Nebraska Medical Center. For more information, go to UNMC’s Web site at www.unmc.edu.