EASTERN Student Gets Head Start on Medical Career

Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) Allied Health/Abington High School senior, Rachel Henrysen, was recently accepted to University of the Sciences in Philadelphia for a six year Doctorate of Physical Therapy program.  She will begin her Doctoral program in August, but through EASTERN’s Allied Health program, she has already taken critical steps toward beginning her career.

Rachel has been a gymnast her entire life, and after an injury at age 12 and participating in a physical therapy program that brought her back to where she needed to be to continue with the sport, she decided to learn more about the field. Rachel had a friend who was in EASTERN’s Commercial Art program, and since he knew about her future plans for entering the healthcare field, he encouraged her to visit during Career Expo during her junior year.

Through EASTERN’s Allied Health program, Rachel shadows healthcare professionals twice a week at Abington Memorial Hospital.  Although these visits take Rachel all throughout the hospital, she has recently had the opportunity to visit the Physical Therapy Unit.

“EASTERN helped solidify my decision to go into physical therapy.  Being able to spend time in the Physical Therapy Unit opened my eyes to the importance of this field in helping people recover,” said Rachel.  The work load here at EASTERN is definitely challenging.  The Allied Health program definitely prepares you for college.”

EASTERN’s Allied Health program is designed for high school seniors who plan to continue their education in college to prepare for a career in the health field. Students will get extensive clinical experiences partnering with health professionals at Abington Memorial Hospital, and can earn three college credits from Montgomery County Community College.

EASTERN is a public school serving students in nine Eastern Montgomery County school districts. Those districts include Abington, Bryn Athyn, Cheltenham, Hatboro-Horsham, Jenkintown, Lower Moreland, Springfield, Upper Dublin and Upper Moreland. Students benefit from specialized career programs that give them a competitive edge in college or in a career.  The campus is at 3075 Terwood Road in Willow Grove. For more information, please contact Amy Shields, Organizational Advancement Director, at 215-784-4806, or visit the school’s website at www.eastech.org.  Like Us?  Become a fan on Facebook – www.Facebook.com/EasternCenter, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @EasternCenter.