Green Bay-area high school students are exploring future careers while helping address the health care workforce shortage thanks to an innovative partnership between Bellin Health and Bellin College.
 
The Healthcare Academy program allows high school students, most of whom begin as sophomores, to earn up to 42 college credits at a reduced cost while receiving classroom and hands-on instruction that could pave the way for their future careers. At the same time, the program allows the Bellin Health region—part of Bellin and Gundersen Health System—to develop promising young students into the healthcare professionals of tomorrow.
 
“This program is a win for the students, for Bellin College and for Bellin Health,” said Bellin Health Sports Medicine & Orthopedics Outreach Programs Director Phil Schaible. “The Healthcare Academy allows young people to explore medicine generally, or to hone in on a particular area of interest that is relevant to their future career. They can even train as certified nursing assistants (CNAs) as part of the program.”
 
The program launched in fall 2022 with a cohort of 39 students from three schools. It quickly grew to include more than 200 students from 11 schools for Fall 2023, and has the potential to grow even further, said Chad Dall, Bellin College Director of Outreach and Engagement.
 
“The intent of the Healthcare Academy is to help high school students find their passion in healthcare while providing a solid foundation of theory coursework and hands-on experiences,” Dall said. “There is a whole spectrum of careers in health care, and with the help of health care professionals, we can provide meaningful mentorships and job shadow opportunities to help solidify students’ interest in this field.”