CI:Healthcare Opens Doors in Health Careers

CENTRAL — Central Louisiana Area Health Education Center (CLAHEC) and Our Lady of the Lake College in Baton Rouge presented the “CI:Healthcare” program last Friday for high achieving high school juniors and seniors, including five from Central.

This unique program was a one-day interactive experience that provided students the opportunity to explore nursing and allied health fields.  Students rotated through different departments to gain experience from a wide variety of medical career choices.

More than 50 students participated in health care fields such as nursing, clinical lab science, surgical technology, radiologic Technology, respiratory therapy, physical therapist assisting, health services administration,  career awareness, and biology/human medicine.   Students were given the opportunity to observe firsthand various procedures used in each field.  They were able to interact with OLOL College students and faculty and ask questions about specific career choices.  They participated in many “hands-on” activities to get a feel for the various disciplines.

Students from Central who attended this program included Lauren Blanchard, Victoria Brian, and Morgan Miley from Central Private; and Carlton Dunn and Hannah Zumo from Central High.

“I had a lot of fun today.  I am very glad I got the opportunity to come to this.  It really helped me out in choosing a career,” Hannah Zumo said.

CLAHEC is a non-profit, community-based agency that serves as a training and information resource for health and education professionals for a 17-parish region.

A primary goal of CLAHEC is to identify local needs and develop programs that will encourage young people to consider a career in healthcare and to practice in rural and underserved communities where their services are urgently needed.

“The CI:Healthcare program is
an excellent tool for students to enhance their understanding of many different healthcare fields, obtain knowledge and experience from seasoned professionals, and to learn about programs offered through Our Lady of the Lake College,” program coordinator Nan Ewing said.