Saint Luke's College Opening Doors for High School Students to Pursue a Future in Healthcare
A new pilot program at Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences is opening career doors as early as high school for some future Kansas City healthcare heroes.
Through a partnership between Rockhurst University and KC Prep to benefit Allen Village High School students, an opportunity now exists for 5-7 students to be chosen during their junior year to participate in the program. The students will complete a Medical Assistant Certificate culminating with their high school graduation and completion of MA clinicals. This qualifies them for entry-level positions as Registered Medical Assistants, as well as provides opportunities to continue their educational pursuits at Rockhurst.
Donna Gardner, Director of Medical Assisting at Rockhurst, believes the program can truly transform lives and is therefore an example of how Rockhurst “exists to transform lives by creating a learning community.”
“The impact this early secondary education process will have on the lives of these students is tremendous,” she said. “We are creating awareness to the needs of the medical community. We are serving the needs of the immediate community in creating healthcare professionals that are needed in the ambulatory care settings. This program will impact the lives of its students by increasing their awareness of the opportunities and creating a pathway for continued growth and educational possibilities.
“Some students would not have an opportunity for a college education,” she continued. “It is my hope that this realization is there for all students.”
The program gives high school students something that is attainable, furthers their educational process and at the same time gives them a skillset they can use to get a healthcare job, earning a living wage.
“Rockhurst recognizes that today's youth are the professionals of tomorrow,” Gardner said.
“Once that doorway opens, the student can visualize themselves in a professional career. This program is one way to investigate the medical professions and see where they fit in, possibly while working and serving the greater Kansas City, Missouri, area.”
At the same time, the program gives students college credits to build on and continue their educational pursuits.
The program encourages stackable credentials, a model that gives students early earning potential in their chosen discipline while they continue their education. Stackable credentials enable the student to move easily from certificate to undergraduate to graduate programs while gaining more consistent knowledge in their fields.
“Hopefully students will complete their certificate program, then complete the A.S. degree while working,” Gardner said. “They could then further their education with a B.S. degree at Rockhurst University.”
