Meghan Thoreau, OSU Extension Educator

The Healthcare Industry Camp Program was awarded both the 2024 Regional and National Award Winner for Innovation and Creativity and presented on in the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) at the 2024 Conference held June 17 – June 21, 2024, in Houston, Texas. The conference presentation is accessible below.

Presentation link: www.go.osu.edu/careercamp

NACDEP is an organization dedicated to improving the visibility, coordination, professional status, and resource base of community and economic development Extension programs and professionals.

The national conference presentation highlights a two-day high school summer camp that explored career options in health science. This opportunity was sponsored by Pickaway WORKS in partnership with OSU Extension and Ohio Health Berger. Student- participants experienced professional networking opportunities, shadowed multiple healthcare professionals, and learned first-hand about the in-demand careers in this growing sector. Two healthcare certifications, STOP the Bleed and CPR, were available for students to obtain, as well as, elevated participates to be fast-tracked towards 16+ healthcare internship opportunities and college tuition benefits available after high school graduation.