Mayo Clinic Health System (MCHS) — Northland in Barron hosted area high school students interested in healthcare careers at the inaugural “Discover Mayo Clinic Health System — Northland” event.
 
Thirty-three students from Barron, Birchwood, Cameron, Chetek-Weyerhaeuser and Rice Lake high schools visited nine interactive stations and spoke with staff about careers in healthcare technology management, occupational and physical therapy, orthopedic surgery, instrument sterilization and processing, family medicine, respiratory therapy, nursing, radiology and laboratory medicine and pathology.
 
“Our goal was to introduce students to Mayo Clinic Health System, to different healthcare careers, and hopefully to pique an interest in staying in the area after graduation and working in healthcare careers,” said Joshua Balts, M.D., orthopedics, who used model leg bones to demonstrate knee replacement surgery for students. “It was really refreshing, and it allowed us to share the rewarding aspects of our job and hopefully inspire future healthcare providers.”
 
The event aimed to ignite curiosity, provide valuable insights and foster connections between aspiring healthcare professionals and the local healthcare system. MCHS’ dedication to supporting local communities through such events aligns with its mission to bring quality healthcare closer to home and motivate the workforce of the future.