On December 19th, Penn Highlands Elk partnered with the Community Education Center’s (CEC) DISCOVER Partnership to offer a “Healthcare Professional Networking Mixer” for local college and high school senior students pursuing degrees in the healthcare field. The evening began with a panel of Penn Highlands Professionals who discussed their specialty, career path, and education advice for the attendees. The panel included areas of Nursing, Physician, Physician Assistant, Anesthetist, Pharmacist, Therapist, Radiologist, and Administrator. Several Panel members spoke highly of their love for working in the rural setting. Many of them grew up in the area and wanted to return to take care of the people they know and love. They stressed that you won’t find this in the big hospitals and it is a pleasure not only working with people you know, but taking care of people you know. Dr. Tim Vollmer, Anesthetist and Pain Management, stated “We could have gone anywhere, but an opportunity to take care of people from your hometown is special.” Job shadowing was another area that many panelists recommended. Megan Bolden, Nursing Home Administrator at Pinecrest, stated that “Books don’t teach you an experience. Job Shadows are important.” Students were also encouraged to find opportunities to work throughout their education and to not be afraid to ask questions. Students learned of the opportunities at Penn Highlands Elk that includes Loan Forgiveness programs, sign on bonuses and summer job opportunities. Following the discussions, students were given time to network with the panel of professionals. Brad Chapman, President of Penn Highlands Elk was pleased with the turnout for the event and remarked “Thank you to all who help make the Healthcare Professional Networking Mixer a tremendous success. It was great to see the energy and enthusiasm of our local college and high school seniors for the healthcare profession. They are the future.” Many of the students and parents that attended found the evening to be very beneficial to their future careers. A parent commented “It was very informative and my daughter is so happy that she went, as well as I am. Those who did not attend missed an excellent program that Penn Highlands provided”. For more information on this and similar programs offered by the DISCOVER Partnership, contact the CEC at (814) 781-3437 or visit communityedcenter.com. For more information on careers at Penn Highlands Elk, visit www.phhealthcare.org or contact Curtis Weisner, Human Resources, at (814) 788-8000 or CJWeisner@phhealthcare.org.
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Various healthcare professionals discuss their careers at Penn Highlands Elk with local college students and high school seniors.