June 15, 2007
Career Pathways Program—Kids Into Health Initiative
YK-Area Health Education Center
The Career Pathways Program with the Yukon-Kuskokwim Area Health Education Center (AHEC) provides information about health careers and scholarships to K-12 students.
Like other area health education centers in the nation, the YK AHEC encourages Kids Into Health as part of our strategy to increase access to healthcare in medically underserved areas. By providing health career information, tours, job shadows and dual-credit courses, the Career Pathways Program is helping to “grow our own” health care professionals.
YK AHEC also offers supportive services for clinical rotations for students in health education programs, and continuing education resources for current healthcare professionals.
Village Visits
During the past school year, the AHEC Career Pathways program visited Mekoryuk, Tuluksak, Akiachak, Aniak, Emmonak, and Holy Cross to introduce healthcare careers, health education requirements and scholarship opportunities.
AHEC–Career Pathways also participated in the YK Delta Job and Career Fair at Bethel and the St. Mary’s Career Fair, and presented at the Natural Helpers Retreat at Hooper Bay.
The 2006/2007 school year concluded in May with a visit to Scammon Bay with Ruth “Wally” Richardson, YKHC Native Hire and Employment Manager, to meet with several high school graduates interested in pursuing healthcare careers.
Partnerships
Other activities this year included job shadow and work experience opportunities in partnership with the Lower Kuskokwim School District in which several job shadow students have moved into summer hire positions at YKHC. In addition, 14 students successfully completed the dual credit Medical Terminology course with the Lower Kuskokwim School District, which awarded both high school and college credit. More than 70 high school students from Bethel Regional High School and Bethel Alternative Boarding School attended monthly Speakers’ Bureau lunches to hear specifics about various careers, first-hand, from YKHC healthcare professionals.
Sixth Grade Tour
The annual 6th Grade Tour of the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital kicked off the summer tour season for Career Pathways in May. Tours are scheduled throughout the summer in conjunction with Kuskokwim Campus to provide career exploration outings at the Hospital for Talent Search participants.
For more information contact the Career Pathways Program, YK‑AHEC at 800‑478‑3221, ext. 6986, or 907-543‑6986.