Community Health System provides learning opportunities for students interested in health careers

Community Health System provides learning opportunities for students interested in health careers

Growing up in Easton, a rural town outside of Fresno, Abril Jimenez saw how disparities in health equity can affect the wellbeing of a community. A lack of bus stops and sidewalks, for example, can make getting to doctor's visits or the hospital difficult for those without access to reliable transportation. She knew at a young age she wanted to make a difference.

Jimenez enrolled in Washington Union High School's Health Science & Medical Technology Pathway, which allows students the opportunity for hands-on learning in healthcare settings. She spent two days a week at Community Regional Medical Center in downtown Fresno in the pathology and oncology departments, studying sample slides, bringing patients' food and stocking supplies. On weekends, she'd return to the hospital as a volunteer, helping wherever needed.

The experience solidified her interest in public health.

"Being in the hospital, I got to see firsthand what people go through at a real, human level," said Jimenez. "And that was just one hospital. How does that [healthcare] look across California, across the world?"

She added, "I want to be able to address these community needs at a bigger level."

Community offers firsthand learning to Central Valley students

Now in her first year at California State University, Fresno, Jimenez is pursuing her passion for public health and policy with the help of The Maddy Institute, serving as an intern in the state office of Senator Anna Caballero.

Community Health System has been a longtime supporter of The Maddy Institute - a nonpartisan, nonprofit policy institute dedicated to issues affecting the San Joaquin Valley - which affords us opportunities to support health education and advocacy in the Central Valley.

Another opportunity to engage with students is our long-standing partnership with Fresno's Birney Elementary School, where we contribute resources, books and firsthand learning experiences. This spring, for example, we'll once again welcome sixth grade students from Birney onto Community Regional's campus for a day of hands-on learning.

The students will receive their own scrubs, tour clinical and operational units of the hospital, and participate in simulated exercises that mimic the real-life happenings of a major medical facility - an event we've held in the past that was temporarily paused during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We're so excited to welcome students back to Community Regional," said Chelsea Aivazian, Manager of Public Affairs, Community Health System. "Most of these students haven't been inside a hospital before, so we're thrilled to show them just how many opportunities there are to have a career in healthcare."

Building a pipeline to create more access to healthcare in the Central Valley

For students who have dreams of working in the medical field, programs like the Washington Union medical pathway and the Birney Elementary partnership are a great way to spark interest while also showing the real-life challenges of the healthcare industry.

"There's no better way to learn than to be in it," said Jimenez of her time volunteering at Community Regional. After graduating college, she plans to work in the public health sector before running for an elected office - bringing her experiences as a Maddy Institute intern and a medical pathway student full circle.

Aivazian agrees. "We hope these programs continue to build the pipeline, inspiring students to become nurses and doctors, someday helping patients here in the Central Valley."

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