On November 1st, our Workforce Innovation team hosted the 7th annual HealthFORCE career exploration event at Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, Ohio.
More than 500 high school students got to meet healthcare professionals representing over 30 occupations. In addition, the half day event featured a six-person panel made up of the most in-demand healthcare careers including pharmacy technicians, radiologists, and nurse practitioners.
This year’s HealthFORCE was one of the most successful yet:
- 500+ high school students
- 6 Healthcare Industry panelists
- 28 school districts and career centers
- 35 exhibitor tables, including:
- 6 hospitals and health systems
- 9 colleges and universities
- 17 healthcare organizations
“All of the booths were a wonderful experience, they gave me so much information that I found very valuable,” one student shared. “I am so happy with my decision in coming!”
Saysha, a junior at Hughes High School, spent the morning at HealthFORCE speaking with exhibitors, attending the Healthcare Industry Panel, and even hanging out with the THC staff volunteers! By giving students like Saysha and her classmates exposure to healthcare careers and education opportunities while they’re in high school, HealthFORCE allows students to make connections with exhibitors that can help them plan for what’s next. By using human resources data that we collect from healthcare systems, we can help to illuminate what positions need to be filled.
Kim Gambill, Campus Director at Warren County Career Center, attended HealthFORCE with 160 students. Kim shared that “for many of (her) students, seeing, interacting with, and listening to the professionals attending the event helped solidify their career choice in the healthcare industry.”
“I heard so much positive feedback from exhibitors, panelists and especially the students at the event, and even in post-event emails. I am thrilled with how well it went, and I hope everyone found value in attending.”
Thanks to sponsors Southwest Ohio Prep Tech, Cincinnati State, and Great Oaks, our exhibitors participated free of charge this year.
Interested in learning more about Workforce Innovation and healthcare career exploration for high school students? Check out the THC Workforce Innovation website and TAP Health Summer Academy program at workforce.healthcollab.org.
If you’d like more information on connecting with this event or any of our other career exploration opportunities, contact Heleena McKinney, hmckinney@healthcollab.org.
