Summer Program Exposes Ossining Students to Careers in Healthcare

Twenty Ossining students who could become tomorrow’s physicians, social workers, nurses and nutritionists went on a four-week journey this summer that included learning how to take vital signs, a nutrition label scavenger hunt, trips to local hospitals and even some yoga and Zumba demonstrations.

The ninth- through 12th-graders participated in the Future Healthcare Leaders program, which is in its second year in Ossining. Open Door Family Medical Centers runs it in partnership with the school district and the Ossining MATTERS Education Foundation.

“I’ve been learning about different careers and it does make me want to go into the medical field,” Patricia Tuba, 16, said during the program’s final week.

Patricia said she loves babies and wants to be a delivery room nurse. Future Healthcare Leaders has helped her move a little closer to that goal. “I enjoyed it. I woke up with excitement to go and learn more,” she said.

The students, all of whom completed the course, learned that employment in the health-care sector is expected to grow 23 percent by 2022 as baby boomers age and remain active.

Some of the other healthcare professions the students showed an interest in are forensic pathologist, pediatrician, art therapist and medical researcher. They liked the high salaries some of the jobs pay, but it was sobering for them to see how many years they would have to be in school to get a degree.

A forensic pathologist, for example, can make between $105,000 and $500,000 a year, but it takes 11 to 18 years of schooling to get there, Elyssa Salmeron, 17, found on a health careers website.

“I think we’re looking for that salary, all of us,” another student said.

Emily Proper and Tiara Williams, two AmeriCorps volunteers who have spent a year with Open Door Family Medical Centers, were instructors for the Ossining course. Both will start graduate school in the fall to pursue careers in healthcare.

“It’s something that I would like to see some students apply for, see them come back to the community where they grew up and do a year of service with AmeriCorps,” said Karen Mandel, manager of school based health centers for Open Door.

Open Door has offered the Future Healthcare Leaders program in Port Chester since 2008, she said.

At the recent graduation ceremony, Superintendent Raymond Sanchez said a student told him that it was a “sad day,” which is not something you normally want to hear from students.

“But when I asked why, the immediate response was because the program is ending today, which to me is symbolic of the power of the program itself and the engagement that I’m sure each of you participating had, how much you enjoyed the program and how much you actually came away learning,” he said.

At the graduation, groups of four students each gave a presentation. The topics included genetically modified organisms (GMOs), composting, nutrition, herbal medicine, and fresh produce versus supermarket produce.
Alex Molina, 15, said he originally was anti-GMO, but after doing research, he realized that almost every organism has been modified due to selective breeding.

Alex said he originally thought of becoming an engineer or architect. He joined the month-long program because he was curious about careers in healthcare. He is now considering becoming a psychologist, physical therapist or massage therapist.

“I really like the feeling of helping other people. You feel accomplished,” he said.

The students aren’t just exposed to healthcare careers during the summer course. Future Healthcare Leaders also operates as an extracurricular club during the school year.

(Photos by Cara Matthews and Jessica Epstein, an intern with Open Door Medical Centers.)