Due to an increased interest in health related careers, Carlisle High School has started a new Health Careers Academy this year that according to Dr. Michele Orner, director of Careers and Technology at CHS, is exceeding expectations.

The Health Careers Academy was created to accommodate the students in finding post-high school job opportunities.  In 2010, an internship was in place only for seniors.  It was decided quickly after that by administration that the school district would have to create something bigger because of the amount of interest in health careers.

With the help of Sadler Health, the Rotary Club, Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC), Carlisle Regional Medical Center, the Carlisle Health and Wellness Foundation and others, the program has been created and able to be used properly.

Orner said, “It’s beyond the district’s expectations. We had enough student interest in the first year to need a full time teacher, in addition to the certified nursing assistant students and the partnership we established with HACC to teach CAN classes at the high school.”

There are many jobs in health related careers that can offer students a good wage after graduation from high school, which makes the program even more important.  This is beneficial to students for many years after they take these classes.

When asked if the program will be helpful, senior Shanice Campbell, who is enrolled in the program, said, “Knowing exactly what medical fields are out there will help me decide what I really want to do with the rest of my life.”

Along with interest from parents and students, there are teachers also excited to see this change occurring. Cheryl Holquist, a biology teacher at CHS, said, “The Health Careers Academy will give students an opportunity to explore possible career options n the health care field beyond the typical doctor/nurse picture. This is a growing field in job opportunities.”

With student interest so high, the program is expected to stay around for years to come.