Alegent Health Awards Annual HOSA Scholarships

Preparing the Next Generation of Caregivers
Alegent Health is prepping high school juniors and seniors with the knowledge and skill set necessary for a successful future career in the health care industry through the College Career Academies (CCA) Health Science program. Twenty-five seniors were honored for their efforts during a breakfast on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 in the rotunda at Alegent Health Mercy Hospital. In addition, two students pursuing post-secondary education in the health care field were awarded a $3,000 scholarship to the school of their choice.

Many of the students are part of the local chapter of the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), a national student organization that seeks to promote career opportunities in the health care industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people.

Alegent Health Mercy Hospital has had a 16-year partnership with the Council Bluffs Health Science program. Vicki Leaders and Susan Dreager are class instructors and both set high expectations for the students as well as being excellent role models for them. The students are taught a valuable core set of skills and technical expertise that can be applied in a variety of future health care disciplines. The curriculum blends medical terminology, anatomy, physiology and disease processes. In addition, students gain valuable insight by being able to job-shadow various departments at Mercy Hospital two days a week.

The CCA Health Science program is open to students who attend high schools in the Council Bluffs area including Lewis Central, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, St. Albert and Tri-Center. The class is offered to juniors and seniors and they can earn high school and college credits for completing the various classes.

To learn more information about HOSA, visit www.hosa.org.

This article was written by Lora Ullerich, Community/Public Relations Specialist at Alegent Health.