Page 12 - TTWISpringSummer2025

Health
Page 12 Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaywi.com

Bellin College Healthcare Academy Provides Students With Career

Exploration and a Head Start Towards Healthcare Career

and its Implications for Healthcare, and securing high-level practical experience.
World Religions. According to Jolyn Helgeson, youth
L-C students participating in the apprenticeship coach based in LCHS, stu-
Healthcare Academy curriculum are given dents this year have filled positions including
the flexibility within their personal sched- nursing assistant, Certified Nursing Assis-
ules to complete their online courses during tant (CNA), surgical CNA, occupational
study halls, according to Snowberry. assistant and resident aide. Their roles are at
Three Science courses – Anatomy and healthcare and therapy facilities, along with
Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, senior- and assisted-living facilities.
and General Chemistry – must be taken in “The Healthcare Academy and youth
person at Bellin College. The college works apprenticeship students interested in career
with the district on the placement of those pathways that align with our organiza-
classes in student schedules. tional needs have been super beneficial,”
HCA courses are transferable to most says Katie Bartell, senior talent acquisition
Wisconsin colleges and universities should specialist for Emplify Health by Bellin/
a student later decide not to attend Bellin Gundersen. “We are identifying kids with a
College or to pursue a degree outside of the passion for helping people live their healthi-
healthcare field. est lives, and it’s helping us fill important
A key component of Healthcare roles across the organization.
Academy participation, Snowberry says, is “We have found a home for more than
the opportunity for job-shadow experiences. 150 students in the last three years. We
These offer the chance for career explora- onboard them and encourage them to learn
tion and provide students with a better idea and grow with us into the future.”
Luxemburg-Casco School District Luxemburg-Casco. L-C subsequently had of which classes they would like to take. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor
Most kids want to play doctor or nurse 26 students participate in the 2023-24 and Many Healthcare Academy students Statistics, the average salary for a regis-
at some point in their childhood. For some, 2024-25 academic years, according to High apply and interview for healthcare-related tered nurse in Wisconsin is $76,560 per
it’s a passing interest. For others, it becomes School Counselor Kurt Wolske. internship opportunities through the dis- year. Along with having two years less of
a career path they’re interested in pursuing. This year, 17 Northeast Wisconsin high trict’s youth-apprenticeship program,
But few of us know where to start or schools, representing more than 200 stu- Continued on Page 13
how to understand the myriad opportunities dents, are taking courses through the HCA.
available within the healthcare field. “We have seen growth in the number
F
That’s where the Bellin College Health- of schools wanting to participate in the Featured in Our Next Issue ofeatured in Our Next Issue of
care Academy comes in, now in its third HCA because of strong student interest
year of engaging Luxemburg-Casco High in healthcare,” says Dr. Chad Dall, direc-
Health Occupations, a career-explo- TTEACHINGEACHING
School students in exploration of careers in tor of outreach and engagement for Bellin
the healthcare field. The program addition- College.
TODAYODAY
ally offers a head start on obtaining related
WI
college credits at a reduced rate, thereby ration course, is offered to freshman and T WI ™
mitigating future student loan debt. sophomore students at L-C. A very popular
Pair that with quality practical class with 2-3 sections each year, it provides
experience in a work-based healthcare envi- an initial gauge for students of their inter-
ronment, and you have a winner for L-C est level in participating in the Healthcare
students. Academy. STEM + Construction + Leadership
“Students tell me that the Healthcare The students who choose to continue
Academy has been an amazing experience on to the Healthcare Academy can earn up Plus! Our Summer Issue of
for them,” says Mike Snowberry, director of to 42 college credits while in high school by
learning services for the Luxemburg-Casco taking advantage of every course available
School District. “It is important for them to through Bellin College. T TRANSPORTATIONRANSPORTATION
T
explore all of the available careers within a Core Healthcare Career courses
healthcare system – they just don’t know. include Introduction to Healthcare, Cus- TODAYODAY
WI
The hands-on aspect of it really has helped tomer Service in Healthcare, Medical WI TM
them in making their career choices. Terminology, and Nursing Assistant. These
“More than anything, it can help stu- classes are offered as asynchronous online
dents to figure out their passion.” or hybrid.
Beyond the traditional healthcare Among the Supplemental Healthcare We invite you to submit articles, sharing what’s
jobs of doctor and nurse, the field includes Career courses offered to students, online, in
high-demand careers in diagnostic medical the fall semester, are 20th Century American happening in your schools in STEM,
sonography — which include Imaging, History and its Impact on Health, Statistics, Construction, Leadership and Transportation!
radiologic sciences and radiation therapy — Diversity Issues in Healthcare, College
along with surgical assisting. Algebra, Developmental Psychology, and Please contact:
The Bellin College Healthcare Medical Terminology. Spring semester Andria — andria@teachingtodaywi.com 715-360-4875,
Academy (HCA) began in the 2022-23 offerings include Health Communication, or
school year with 34 students from three area Medical Ethics, Healthcare Economics, The
high schools, among them 18 students from Immigrant Experience in Modern America Renee — renee@teachingtodaywi.com 715-839-7074