Healthcare providers, organizations, businesses, and colleges give students career insights and hands-on experiences in the healthcare sector
Press release
BATAVIA, NY – More than 575 students from 31 school districts in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming (GLOW) counties experienced hands-on healthcare career exploration on Friday, March 22nd.
Supported by business and educational groups and sponsors led by Double Platinum Sponsor ESL Federal Credit Union, Platinum Sponsors Rochester Regional Health United Memorial Medical Center and Wyoming County Community Health System, the annual GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare event returned for a second year at Genesee Community College.
For Fernando Cacho, a junior at LeRoy Junior-Senior High School, the experience was eye-opening as he learned about the various pathways in the field. Fernando participated in sessions with physicians/residents and physical therapy as Cacho considers a pathway into medical school after he graduates.
“My favorite aspect of the event is the ability to delve into the specific details within the healthcare industry, especially focusing on areas such as residency, and medical school. I appreciate how GLOW allows for a deep dive into the specific craft one wants to specialize in within this broad field,” added Cacho.
Launched in 2023, GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare connected students to over 200 representatives from 57 companies, municipal agencies, non-profits, and educational institutions. The healthcare event and GLOW With Your Hands: Manufacturing attract over 1,500 students annually with the goal of exciting, educating, and empowering youth to seek success in careers.
“With GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare and GLOW With Your Hands: Manufacturing, we are seeing a generation of students that are engaging with careers with great opportunities in our region,” said Angela Grouse, GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair and Education to Employment Director at the Livingston County Area Chamber of Commerce. “Meeting the healthcare needs of our communities is a challenge that we are proactively addressing through the support of our participating organizations, sponsors, and volunteers.”
Every student participated in a pair of self-selected workshops with a variety of healthcare careers led by healthcare and emergency response professionals.
Sessions covered careers in EMS, pharmacy, healthcare administration, physical therapy, healthy living, physicians/residents, holistic medicine, radiology/sonography/ultrasound, mental health and social work, research science, nursing, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, physician’s assistant/nurse practitioner, surgery, and vet technician.
Karyn Winters, Co-Chair of the GLOW With Your Hands program, said students complete the healthcare event with clearer ideas of the steps they can take to careers across healthcare.
“All of these enthusiastic students at GLOW With Your Hands events can see themselves in these critical and rewarding healthcare roles,” said Winters, the Director of the Genesee County Business Education Alliance. “With the support we have in the community and in our schools, students can turn their aspirations into a career.”
It was an exciting day for Alexa Ocampo, a junior at Elba Central School. Alexa is interested in the healthcare sector and met with colleges, employers, and professionals involved in the field.
“There are a lot of options in the healthcare field, it’s nice to hear from professionals that have hands-on experience in the many careers available,” said Ocampo.
Employers and volunteers were ready for questions and educated attendees about experiences in healthcare.
“This is an exciting time for kids where they’re figuring out who they are and where they’re going with their future,” said Rochester Regional Health, Nurse Practitioner Jessica Rachow. “It’s nice to see different pathways they could take, and everybody has something that they’re good at, so this gives them the opportunity to explore their strengths.”
For more information about GLOW With Your Hands, please visit www.glowwithyourhands.com/healthcare.
