About 80 high school students and teachers from five area schools spent Thursday getting a closer look at what it takes to work in healthcare.

The students toured Lincoln Medical Center, took part in hands-on activities and talked with hospital staff about careers that extend well beyond doctors and nurses.

The Discovery Day event was hosted by HH Lincoln Health in partnership with the Tennessee Center for Health Workforce Development. Students attended from Fayetteville High School, Huntland High School, Lincoln County High School, Moore County High School and Riverside Christian Academy.

The event is part of the Pathways Development Program, a rural healthcare workforce initiative designed to give students a better look at the different jobs available in healthcare.

Hospital staff, community healthcare professionals and postsecondary education partners introduced students to both clinical and nonclinical careers, including fields such as radiology, pharmacy, physical therapy, laboratory services, EMS and healthcare administration.

“Students may first think of doctors and nurses when they picture a career in healthcare, but there are so many other opportunities available,” said Mary Beth Seals, president of HH Lincoln Health. “Discovery Day gives students a chance to see those careers firsthand, ask questions, and connect with people doing this work right here in their community. We hope experiences like this help students see a future for themselves in healthcare and, one day, bring those skills back home to serve their communities.”

Healthcare providers across Tennessee, particularly in rural communities, continue to face challenges in finding enough workers to fill open positions. Programs such as Discovery Day are aimed at giving students an early look at those opportunities and showing them that healthcare careers can be found close to home.

Similar Discovery Day events have been held at other Tennessee hospitals this year as part of the statewide effort.

Seals said exposing students to those opportunities now could help strengthen the local healthcare workforce in the future.

“Our rural communities need the next generation to see that meaningful healthcare careers are available close to home,” she said. “Opening our doors to these students is an investment in them and in the future of healthcare.”

Zachary Austin is a writer for 256 Today. You can contact him at [email protected].

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