Health Science Academy Offers “Edutainment” for Local Students

For the first time in two years, staff at Winchester Medical Center witnessed the parade of lime green scrubs, the signature look of the youth who participate in the annual Health Science Academy (HSA). After the COVID-necessitated break in 2020, the Academy convened again in June for four days, offering the enthusiastic group of high school students a week of education and mentorship hosted by Valley Health, Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC) and Shenandoah University. Each student had the chance to explore a variety of medical career options through hands-on demonstrations and interactive classes.

Now in its 8th year, the 2021 program offered 29 high school students from local public school systems in Virginia, the chance to participate in the four-day event. Youth from Winchester City and Clarke, Frederick, Warren, Shenandoah, Page, and Rappahannock counties joined in the activities designed to spark youth interest in the health professions.

Additional program objectives included:

• Promote regional academic health professions programs (at Shenandoah University and LFCC/LRCC)
• Introduce the acute care environment (WMC)
• Have fun using experiential, hands-on learning and onsite activities

Valley Health thanks the local school counselors and CTE directors who promoted the HSA to the students, AND the more than 30 WMC staff members and 20 faculty and students who shared their time and healthcare skills to “edutain” (educate + entertain with hands-on learning) these future caregivers. It takes a village to promote career pathways in the health professions and encourage and inspire the next generation of medical professionals!