STAND and Pathways to Prosperity Students Enter Nursing and Allied Health Programs
Monday, May 22, 2017
Current and past students, as well as family, friends, faculty and staff attended, as did representatives of the Boston Public Schools, Somerville High School and community partners. The students received certificates of completion–along with gifts and a cake.
Mary Folan Chairperson of the Nursing Education Department congratulated the students that completed the program and plan to enter into nursing education. “Students who come right out of high school are younger than our average students in the nursing program,” said, Folan, addressing how educators innovate and adjust to new learning styles. “You bring a different perspective to us. You utilize technology and social media in different ways.” Folan also added that BHCC is proud to support diversity in the nursing field in the Boston area.
The 2017 graduating class will enter BHCC in fall 2017 and join the ranks of students working their way toward certificates in BHCC’s Practical Nursing or Allied Health programs. Johana Sainma, a Boston International Newcomers Academy senior, is excited to study nursing “Growing up I’ve always thought of myself as a nurse,” said Sainma, addressing her fellow STAND students at last night’s graduation dinner. “I was excited when I heard about the STAND program. It was very competitive and my favorite part of the program was the medical simulation. I hope to continue to study as a BHCC student.”
Working with partner high schools, STAND began 12 years ago to assist in the elimination of racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare. Partner schools include Somerville High School, Jeremiah E. Burke High School, Edward M. Kennedy Health Careers Academy, Community Academy of Science and Health, Urban Science Academy and Madison Park High School.
Leo G. DeSimone, Jr., Director of Career & Technical Education, Somerville High School gave remarks. He first heard of the STAND program six years ago, and wanted to find a way for Somerville’s high school students to get involved. DeSimone thanked the BHCC faculty. “Our students that have gone through the [STAND] program have been very successful,” he said. “They’ve come back saying that the relationships they had with their teachers at Somerville High School are the same relationships they have with BHCC faculty.”
In collaboration with Boston Public Schools and Harvard MedScience High School STEM program, BHCC’s Pathways to Prosperity program is an early college pathway for high school students interested in healthcare professions. The program is a national initiative created by Jobs for the Future and the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Mia Gaudino, a senior Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers and Pathways to Prosperity student discovered a new career path, taking psychology and other courses exploring human behaviors. “I wouldn’t take this experience back for the world, said Gaudino. “I went into this thinking I wanted to be a nurse, but have found that I want to study Criminal Justice.”
At the dinner, STAND and Pathways to Prosperity staff thanked the BHCC faculty and staff who have supported students by teaching dual enrollment classes and tutoring. They also thanked the program’s community partners, which include the nursing staff of both Boston Medical Center and Boston Children’s Hospital.
View more photos along with the event program with graduates’ names on the Ceremony Highlights page.
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