Englewood Health recently hosted a Youth Career Day for local high school students. This event aimed to show students the many career options in healthcare that don’t require a medical degree. It’s part of the city’s Summer Business Apprenticeship Program, which helps students gain insights into various fields.
Held at the main campus, the event featured professionals from different departments who shared their experiences. They talked about their jobs and how students can explore various paths within healthcare.
Englewood Health, along with the Englewood Chamber of Commerce, organized this initiative to reach young people, especially those with limited exposure to professional environments. This year’s program was supported by a grant and provides hands-on experiences through local business mentors. The selection process is competitive.
- Jennifer Yanowitz and Angela Azar kicked off the event, welcoming students and introducing Englewood Health.
- Larry Miloscia spoke about finance in healthcare.
- Karen Asch highlighted the Englewood Health Foundation’s work in supporting patient care.
- Jessica Lyons shared insights on improving patient nutrition.
- Danielle Lambert discussed behavioral health.
- Santino Ardo covered data analytics.
- Maria Toubroukji described academic partnerships.
- Kayla Evans introduced her work in mammography technology.
Yanowitz emphasized that hospitals offer many roles beyond doctors and nurses. “We have over 4,500 staff in various fields like finance and IT. Career Day shows students that there are many ways to make a difference in healthcare,” she said.
Students participated in Q&A sessions, gaining practical advice about career paths. For many, this was their first visit to a hospital as a potential future employee, not just as a patient.
Larry Miloscia shared how early exposure to finance shaped his nearly 30-year career. He encouraged students to believe in themselves and stay persistent. Jessica Lyons discussed her role in advocating for better patient care and ways to improve workflows.
Karen Asch pointed out the importance of effective communication in connecting donors with impactful opportunities. Social worker Rachel Solomon mentioned that they receive around 70 applications but can only accept 24 students for the program. Those selected earn $2,000 for six weeks of work and gain valuable experience.
Some students expressed diverse career interests, from writing to nursing. In the past, engagement included talks from various departments like rehabilitation and human resources. Yanowitz said, “We aim to invest in our community, especially those who might not have had access otherwise.”
This focus on career exploration is timely. A recent survey indicated that many high school students feel unsure about their future career choices. Introducing them to diverse fields early can help bridge this gap. Englewood Health’s initiative exemplifies how community organizations can pave the way for future generations.
By fostering awareness of various career options in healthcare, the event not only opens doors for students but also encourages them to dream big. Career opportunities in healthcare are vast and come with the potential to make a real impact on people’s lives.
