Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD) is collaborating with Valley hospitals allowing hundreds of students to experience what a career in health care might feel like. Through a unique program called “Career Explorations”, Eisenhower Medical Center (EMC) and Desert Regional Medical Center (DRMC) are making connections with students and helping to prepare their next generation workforce.

Since 2005, the hospitals have hosted more than 1,250 students for interactive tours of their campuses, introducing students to the wide-range of careers and professionals who work to keep our Valley healthy. Students have a chance to speak with emergency room nurses, lab technicians, research scientists, imaging professionals, doctors, nurses, physical plant operators and many others.

It is no small feat to facilitate meaningful engagement between students and on-the-job professionals and in March, PSUSD Board of Education expressed their appreciation to Pam Silver and EMC with their “Shiny Apple Award.”

Silver is a Senior Project Coordinator for Professional Development at EMC, and has coordinated the hospital’s partnership with PSUSD for the past five years. In that time, more than 450 PSUSD middle and high school students have toured EMC, discussed hospital operations with management executives, and considered their own pathway in the field of health care.

On behalf of EMC, Silver has created a model program for students to explore the promise and possibilities of careers in health care. The program has served as an excellent recruitment tool for the 275 students in Cathedral City High School’s HEAL (Health and Environmental Academy of Learning) Academy and another 177 in Palm Springs High School’s PALM (Palm Springs Academy of Learning Medicine) Academy.

Pam Silver and her colleagues at Eisenhower Medical Center, as well as the team at Desert Regional Medical Center, are helping students see health care careers as a viable option for their future.

Learn more about how you can partner with the future by contacting Donna Sturgeon, CVEP Healthcare Industry Council Work Based Learning Coordinator [email protected]