Smyrna High students explore health care careers through new program

Courtesy of Ascension Saint Thomas
·2 min read
Ascension Saint Thomas, Rutherford County Schools and Metro Nashville Public Schools recognized the following students as members of the inaugural cohort of the Ascension Saint Thomas Work-Based Learning Program on Wednesday, Jan. 4: Jounir Awadalla, Lashonty Beal, Mariposa Cardenas, Sara Elkommos-Zakhary, A'saih Fuqua, Scarlett Galvan, Aeh Htoo, Kennedy Hunter, LaShay Johnson, Elyissa Leavens, Joya Lewis, Kobi Mathews, Trinity Mills, Jerkeila Moore, Mu Muang, Kira Norton, Aaleigha Reeves, Skylar Reid, A'Yana Thompson, and Ariel Woods.

Ascension Saint Thomas celebrated the inaugural class of Ascension Saint Thomas Work-Based Learning, a new year-long program designed to prepare students from Rutherford County Schools and Metro Nashville Public Schools for diverse careers in healthcare.

High school seniors from Smyrna High, Cane Ridge High, John Overton High, Maplewood High and Pearl-Cohn High successfully completed the fall semester of the program, which ran from August to December 2022, and are poised to begin their spring semester this week. The 20 participating students earn class credit and are paid hourly as they work a minimum of 10 hours per week at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford in Murfreesboro, Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown or West campuses in Nashville or one of the Ascension Medical Group Saint Thomas sites of care around Middle Tennessee.

Students perform patient transfers, transport specimens and equipment, provide basic patient care under supervision, shadow various departments, receive career coaching, and much more. Upon program completion, cohort members are encouraged to continue their health care careers by pursuing higher education opportunities or by applying for open positions at Ascension Saint Thomas facilities.

“Work-based learning partnerships are critical for our students to continue growing and exploring community-based work opportunities,” said Dr. Jimmy Sullivan, director of Rutherford County Schools. “Having our students work with Ascension Saint Thomas to gain experience and direction in the medical field before graduation is an excellent opportunity for them and for us.”

“It has been a joy to see these hard-working teenagers step into fast-paced workplaces and make meaningful contributions to our interdisciplinary teams,” said Jill Guinness, nursing intern manager, Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown. “We are excited to help the young learners navigate their first healthcare roles and build strong foundations for their future success.”

Ascension Saint Thomas, Rutherford County Schools and Metro Nashville Public Schools recognizes the following students as members of the inaugural cohort of the Ascension Saint Thomas Work-Based Learning Program: Jounir Awadalla, Lashonty Beal, Mariposa Cardenas, Sara Elkommos-Zakhary, A'saih Fuqua, Scarlett Galvan, Aeh Htoo, Kennedy Hunter, LaShay Johnson, Elyissa Leavens, Joya Lewis, Kobi Mathews, Trinity Mills, Jerkeila Moore, Mu Muang, Kira Norton, Aaleigha Reeves, Skylar Reid, A'Yana Thompson, and Ariel Woods.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: High school healthcare program