Students representing high schools throughout Franklin County recently completed the fall term of the Healthcare Careers Institute at Chambersburg Hospital, an affiliate of Summit Health.  Students made their final presentations throughout the month of January to an audience of their peers, members of the community and Chambersburg Hospital staff members.

The Healthcare Careers Institute, offered by Summit Health, is a course designed for high school students interested in exploring various health care careers through real-life experience. The program is offered to interested sophomores, juniors and seniors enrolled at Chambersburg Area Senior High School, Cumberland Valley Christian School, Fannett-Metal High School, Greencastle-Antrim Senior High School, James Buchanan High School, Shippensburg Area Senior High School and Waynesboro Area Senior High School.

According to Angela Austin, School Liaison Coordinator for Summit Health, "The program was designed for students to explore health care careers, and to develop vital skills desired by employers."

Austin said that students get a chance to observe over 20 departments in the first half of the program. "During the second half of our program, the students choose an area of interest and then volunteer their time in that department," Austin continued. "They have an amazing opportunity to learn job skills and to get answers to their questions from experienced health care professionals."

The Healthcare Careers Institute is offered in the summer for five weeks, and in the fall for 18 weeks. Upon completion of the summer session, high school students can earn half of a credit toward graduation. Successful completion of the 18-week fall program will earn high school students one full credit toward graduation.

Students interested in participating in the Healthcare Careers Institute at either Chambersburg Hospital or Waynesboro Hospital can contact the Summit Health School Liaison department at (717) 709 - 4755 or email aaustin@summithealth.org. Applications for the 2010 sessions are due on January 29, 2010.

Caption: Students from Chambersburg Area Senior High School, Cumberland Valley Christian School, Fannett-Metal High School, Greencastle-Antrim Senior High School, James Buchanan High School and Waynesboro Area Senior High School made their final presentations in January for the Healthcare Careers Institute offered by Summit Health.

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Summit Health, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to building a healthier community through leading-edge medical technology, skilled physicians, caring staff, and convenient locations.  Summit Health's comprehensive selection of services and providers includes family physicians, surgeons, specialists, diagnostic services, a women's health center, a fitness center, and two award-winning hospitals.

For more information about Summit Health, call (717) 267-3000 or visit www.SummitHealth.org.