Geisinger hosts students at healthcare program
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LEWISTOWN -- As a Geisinger junior volunteer, Shaylin Shaffer spent more than 50 hours serving patients last summer. That experience helped her aspire to find a career in health care, hopefully as a physician assistant.
Shaffer, a sophomore at Mifflin County High School, came to Thursday's Second Annual Aspirations in Medicine and Healthcare Initiatives (AiM HI) program to explore other healthcare-related careers.
"There are so many jobs within the hospital beyond nurses and doctors," Shaffer said. "It was good to see the different aspects involved. Today was very educational and I learned a lot."
Geisinger Lewistown Hospital is helping to make healthcare career connections available for area high school students. The program hosted 65 students from high school students from around central Pennsylvania at CareerLink in Lewistown.
AiM HI is an entry-level Geisinger Career Pathways program giving students the opportunity to explore healthcare-related careers by offering interactive and educational workshops.
Students from Mifflin County High School, Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology, Belleville Mennonite School, East Juniata High School, Juniata High School and Midd-West High School attended the AiM HI event, along with students from neighboring Greenwood and Penns Valley high schools.
"We're so excited to be able to bring this event to our community," explained Kylle White, volunteer services manager at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital. "We hope to spark students' interest in the healthcare field. We desire to show them how rewarding it can be and what options are available through Geisinger."
In addition to the education workshops, Geisinger's Western Region leadership took part in a career panel, explaining the value of healthcare in the community. AJ Hartsock, associate vice president, clinical operations; Stacey Osborne, vice president, chief nursing officer; Kira Jerzerick, nursing operations manager; Keith Peachey, nursing operations manager; and Dr. Julie Xanthopoulus, hospitalist and dean of students, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, shared inspiring testimonies, encouragement and advice.
"It's such a wonderful learning opportunity for local students to get to hear presentations from our very own healthcare workers," White added. "CareerLink was a gracious host. We were happy to be there for this second annual event."