Quinnipiac’s Healthcare Career Academy gives high school students hands-on pathway

Quinnipiac University’s Healthcare Career Exploration Academy gives high school students hands-on pathway into health professions

NORTH HAVEN, Conn. — More than 50 high school students explored the future of healthcare through hands-on learning, professional simulations and college-level coursework during Quinnipiac University’s Healthcare Career Exploration Academy.

The two-week pre-college summer program introduced students to 10 healthcare disciplines through immersive academic experiences and practical training. Students earned two Quinnipiac University college credits, completed industry-recognized certifications and gained insight into academic programs and career opportunities across the allied health professions.

“It’s rigorous, but we also make it engaging and fun for them as they’re exploring healthcare as a career and a profession,” said Tracy Van Oss, professor of occupational therapy and academy co-advisor.

Van Oss and Karen Majeski, professor of occupational therapy and director of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program, led the academy.

“Tracy and I reached out to our colleagues throughout the School of Health Sciences to ask what type of experiences they could provide, and each program created a meaningful activity,” Majeski said. “It really was a group effort.”

Throughout the academy, students gained firsthand exposure to healthcare careers through activities including measuring vital signs, practicing suturing techniques, conducting clinical lab anatomy and dissection exercises, performing DNA testing, learning gait and transfer techniques, creating custom orthoses and splints, exploring diagnostic imaging and participating in nutrition education and cooking activities.

Students also earned certificates in Basic First Aid and CPR, Stop the Bleed, Teen Mental Health First Aid and Dementia Friends.

A highlight of the program was a visit to Hartford HealthCare’s Center for Education, Simulation and Innovation (CESI), where students toured a Life Star helipad, observed a live surgery, interacted with healthcare professionals and practiced skills through simulations involving robotic surgery, suturing and emergency response.

Quinnipiac faculty, staff and students helped guide participants throughout the experience. Students received advice on professional communication from Quinnipiac President Marie Hardin, who worked with them on developing elevator pitches, and Chief Experience Officer Tom Ellett, who helped them craft concise application letters for internships and shadowing opportunities.

Students said the academy helped them better understand their future goals in healthcare.

“I think it was very beneficial for me to understand the different parts of health science,” said Lauren Sesta, 16, of Middletown. “I really enjoyed going to hospital settings and being able to try different kinds of professions.”

Samuel Rogers, 16, of Westchester County, New York, said the emergency medicine experiences helped him explore his interests.

“I want to go into something in emergency medicine, so coming here and learning what to do in an emergency with CPR and AED was really important,” Rogers said. “This was the perfect outlet to find out what we wanted to do by going into the different career choices.”

The academy concluded with a ceremony, where School of Health Sciences Associate Dean Colleen Thompson recognized students for completing the college-credit course and program requirements.

“I met your students on day one, when they might have been a little nervous,” Thompson said. “Now as we say goodbye, they’re smiling and excited. I hope to see many of you as future Bobcats.”

For students and families, the experience provided more than an introduction to healthcare careers — it offered a glimpse into college life and helped participants identify potential academic pathways.

“After this, he knows he still wants to be in the healthcare field, and it narrowed down some of the fields that he’s more passionate about,” said Jennifer Baglio, whose son participated in the academy.

For more information about Quinnipiac summer programs, visit www.qu.edu.