Ochsner Health is expanding its tuition-free education outreach programs for local high school students across Louisiana. Applications are now open for Ochsner’s second annual STEM Pathfinder Program – a healthcare career exploratory program for high school students featuring hands-on clinical skills training sessions, science labs, virtual hospital tours and professional development. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2022.
In 2021, Ochsner celebrated the inaugural STEM Pathfinder Program for New Orleans East students, marking an addition to the health system’s robust summer offerings, including Ochsner’s legacy STAR Summer Scholars Program. This year, the STEM Pathfinder Program will expand into East Baton Rouge and Caddo parishes, providing even more young people the opportunity to explore healthcare and science careers.
The one-week program is free for attendees. Applicants must be at least 14 years old by the start of the program and should be current 8th-, 9th-or 10th-grade students. This year four sessions will be offered:
STEM Pathfinders Program – New Orleans at Ochsner Baptist – Open to students who live or attend school in New Orleans East zip codes 70129, 70128, 70127 and 70126.
Session A: June 20-24, 2022
Session B: July 11-15, 2022
STEM Pathfinders Program – Baton Rouge – Open to students who attend a school within the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.
Dates: July 18-22, 2022
STEM Pathfinders Program – North Louisiana – Open to students who attend a school within the Caddo Parish School System.
Dates: July 11-15, 2022
Hosted by the Ochsner Education Outreach and Ochsner Health teams, the STEM Pathfinder Program is designed to expose more high school students to science, technology, engineering and math. Healthcare professionals from across multiple disciplines provide mentorship to students, preparing them to make intentional career decisions. The program is free, and Ochsner provides all the supplies necessary for participation.
In addition to inquiry-based science labs and clinical training, students access expertise from leaders in a variety of disciplines including areas such as women’s services, DNA research and medicine, public health programs, radiology, pharmacology and emergency medicine. Activities from last year’s program included hands-on science experiments, virtual nursing simulations, therapeutic demonstrations, surgical practice and tours with ambulance and flight care teams.
“Our high school summer programs give local students real access to science, in a way that makes it fun and relatable, while also exposing them to a variety of career paths available in the health sciences realm. The hope is to inspire our next generation of healthcare career professionals by providing dynamic, hands-on experiences,” said Allison Sharai, Assistant Vice President of Education & Community Affairs. “Investing in these educational opportunities is a key part of the plan to transform Louisiana into a healthier state by 2030.”
STEM Pathfinder Program applications should be completed online and are due by 11:59 p.m., Thursday, March 31, 2022. The Application inclides, general student information, ahort answer questions. Applicants must provide a video diary submission, one letter of recommendation and their most recent school transcript or report card.
For specific details about the application requirement or for more information about Ochsner’s Education Outreach Initiatives, email educationoutreach@ochsner.org or visit Ochsner.org/EducationOutreach.
