SHENANDOAH JUNCTION, W.Va. -- Two Jefferson High School (JHS) students are excited to promote the MedEd partnership between Jefferson County Schools (JCS), WVU Medicine, and Blue Ridge Community and Technical College (CTC) as it enters its second year. Juniors Grace Ott (above, left) and Maria Avilez (above, right) discussed key components of the program during a January 26 presentation to JHS health classes.
MedEd provides juniors and seniors at Jefferson and Washington High Schools with a direct career path into the healthcare industry via a unique two-year program. Participants may choose from three career pathways: Laboratory, Radiology, or Patient Care Technician. The program is free to successful applicants.
The beginning of the 2023-24 school year marked the program's launch, and Ott and Avilez are two of eighteen JCS students to join its inaugural class. Both agree it has been a rewarding introduction to a career in the medical field.
"I love being able to jump in, get my feet wet, and get to know what the program is and how a career in this field will work," said Ott. "Next month, we'll start our externships, so we'll be out in the field working with real patients and practicing the skills we've learned."
MedEd allows JCS students to take dual enrollment courses at Blue Ridge CTC, enabling them to graduate high school with enough credits to equal approximately half of an associate degree. Participants choose their career track in their senior year. During their presentation, Avilez and Ott shared an overview of the program and discussed their hands-on training through labs and clinical rotations. Both said they are happy to represent MedEd to their peers.
"Representing the MedEd program is a perfect way to let students know it's a great way to jumpstart a medical career," said Ott, who wants to be a transplant nurse.
Avilez agreed, adding, "I'm here to recruit people as passionate about working in the medical field as I am." She is currently deciding between radiology and patient care as her career track.
Following the presentation, interested students signed up to apply for the next MedEd class beginning in Fall 2024. Freshman Abigail Staunton was one of 34 JHS students to add her name to the list.
"I've wanted to be a paramedic since early middle school, so this seemed like a good way to learn more about the medical field," Staunton said.
Following the success of its first year, MedEd will accept 30 new applicants for the 2024-25 school year. Ott and Avilez hope to recruit more classmates as they continue to promote the program.
"It's been an amazing experience," said Avilez.
To learn more about the MedEd program or complete an application, visit www.jcswv.org/meded.