Saint Louis Public Schools

SLPS Students Explore Healthcare Careers

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of BJC HealthCare, St. Louis Public Schools Division of Career and Technical Education, and the Missouri Foundation for Health, eight SLPS students interested in pursuing healthcare-related careers have been given a glimpse into their promising futures. 

The Men of Tomorrow Health Careers Camp was designed to provide an opportunity for minority male students to learn about careers in the healthcare industry. In order to qualify for the program, students had to have earned a 2.5 or higher GPA and an attendance rate of 90% or above.

From cleaning wounds to checking vitals to holding a human brain in their hands, the students were immersed in activities, tours, and soft-skills preparation during six two-hour sessions at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Medical Center Complex in April, May, and June.

The program culminated with a summer camp held July 22-26, during which students were asked to reflect upon their experiences. Each student created a PowerPoint presentation for their peers and top administrators from the Goldfarb School of Nursing—Dean Michael Bleich and Michael Ward, Vice Dean for Student Affairs and Diversity.

Dr. Bleich said he was “incredibly proud” of the students and praised them for taking “full advantage of this opportunity,” which was free of charge for participants.

“Think big about yourselves,” advised Dr. Bleich. “Think big about the space that you can fill in other people’s lives and do it. Just do it. And if you think you can’t, or if you don’t think you’re ready, or if you don’t think you come from a background that’s going to help you, then ask for help because people in the world want to help.”

The following students completed the program:
- Clarence Barnett, incoming senior at Gateway STEM High School
- Queon Channel, incoming sophomore at Gateway STEM High School
- Arma’an Givans, incoming junior at Clyde C. Miller High School
- Jotham Nixon, incoming senior at Gateway STEM High School
- Hezekiah Jackson, incoming sophomore at Gateway STEM High School
- Harvey Rodriguez-Johnson, incoming senior at Clyde C. Miller High School
- Vernon Russell, incoming senior at Gateway STEM High School
- Gerardo Vazquez, incoming senior at Clyde C. Miller High School

Plans are already in the works to expand the program next year. Students from the inaugural class who continue in the program have been invited by Dr. Bleich to be guests of the Goldfarb School of Nursing at the 2014 American Assembly for Men in Nursing annual conference this fall.

For additional information about this and other programming, please contact the SLPS Career and Technical Education office at 314-345-4531. The Men of Tomorrow Health Careers Camp was made possible through a grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health and supported by BJC HealthCare.