The Allied Health Academy

ASK ANY OF the administrators or teachers who are part of the Allied Health Academy program what’s most rewarding about the program, and you’ll find that the students are at the heart of all answers.

The Allied Health Academy has been a true work in collaboration. Beginning in 2018, health professionals and high school educators have been setting students up for successful careers in health care. At a back-to-school night presentation at Pequannock Township High School in the fall, Allied Health Academy teachers described hearing from graduates of the program who are ahead of the game in college thanks to the Allied Health Academy, which is a testament to the program.

Karen Haber, administrative assistant at Atlantic Health Chilton Medical Center for Nursing Education and coordinator of the Allied Academy Health program for the past six years, is a team player. She works under the direction of Kerry Quinn, manager of nursing education. Quinn has been employed with Atlantic Health Chilton Medical Center for over 20 years and is “passionate about nursing education and supporting all nurses to further their professional development,” says Haber.

“The director of Atlantic Health at the time, Rosalie Winning and former President of Chilton, Stephanie Schwartz, came up with the curriculum to collaborate with high school teachers and connect Rutgers with Atlantic Health Chilton Medical Center,” Haber explains.

The program would not be where it is today without several important people including Dr. Maureen Schneider, President of Atlantic Health Chilton Medical Center (and senior vice president of Atlantic Health), Ginelle Walker-Way, CNO, and Eric Perez, MD, chief medical officer.

“Everyone gives 120% to the program,” says Haber. “They visit students, observe senior capstone projects and offer support,” she adds.

William Daniels, director of operations has had his own daughter go through the program, graduate, and become employed at Atlantic Health Chilton Medical Center in a full circle moment.

EARLY ROOTS

Students apply to the program while in eighth grade, sending transcripts, teacher recommendations, and an essay. Students are narrowed down for interviews and wait for a final notification of acceptance.

However, applicants are not limited to just their eighth grade year. If students don’t apply in eighth grade and do so in high school, they enter into the shared time program. This provides a good option for students who decide to enter the program a little later.

As freshmen, a bioethics class is completed, and by sophomore year, more classes are incorporated into schedules, such as lessons on genetics. By junior and senior year, students are taking more courses, such as anatomy and physiology and rotations at the medical center begin. Students shadow a preceptor (an experienced professional who provides direct, hands-on guidance, instruction, and supervision) to learn as much as possible.

“Juniors have one rotation, seniors have two, and the capstone project is the highlight of senior year,” Haber explains.

Seniors have two departments over the course of the school year where they focus on an area of interest. For the capstone project, students select a topic to research and present about it. They are encouraged to use their resources and ask for help from any contacts they’ve made throughout the program.

Jill Marotta, supervisor of math at Allied Academy Healt, is proud of the program.

“This is a truly special opportunity in health care pathways that many students don’t have the opportunity to experience until college or after. It’s rewarding to provide students rich, real-world learning experiences that directly connect classroom learning with the hospital job shadowing experience. I love hearing from students about their experiences,” she says.

PTHS academy coordinator Edward Kopp was thrilled to share the Allied Health Academy program with Pequannock magazine and the community: “I am inspired by these young men and women as they dedicate their lives to helping others live happier, healthier lives. These students are proof that the future is in good hands,” says Kopp.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR MANY

You don’t have to be a Pequannock resident to participate in the academy. Full time students in the program come from Pequannock or Lincoln Park. Shared time students apply through Morris County Vo-tech.

Those districts include Boonton, Butler, Dover, Montville, Morristown, Morris Hills Regional, Mt. Olive, Parsippany-Troy Hills Regional, Randolph, Roxbury, and West Morris Regional. “When students are not on rotations, they attend their home school,” says Haber.

The program encourages students to experience as many departments as possible on rotations to get a well-rounded experience. Some students begin with dreams of a career in physical therapy, and then decide they want to work in a completely different field based on the impact of their rotations. Students have witnessed births, procedures, and testing (with consent of patients, of course), and many are moved by the experience.

“I’ll never forget a student coming to me with tears in his eyes after witnessing a birth,” Haber fondly recalls.

Students are encouraged to take the initiative, be proactive, ask questions, problem solve, and always behave with respect and professionalism. Good attendance is strongly encouraged.

Haber says: “You’re going to see it all; there will be parts you love and parts you don’t like, but that’s how you’re able to narrow down the field you want to pursue.” She stresses that from day one, you are making an impression: “You want those who worked with you to remember you in the future,” says Haber.

COLLEGE PREP

Another benefit of the academy is the college credits. Students who complete all their requirements receive 16 Rutgers credits, which can be directly applied at Rutgers or transferred to many other colleges (depending on how each school applies the credit.) PTHS teachers visit their students at Atlantic Health Chilton Medical Center twice a year to see how the students are performing in the hospital setting.

“We work closely with the school; the school is part of our team,” Haber says.

Ariel Valverde has been teaching the program from the start, “One of my favorite developments of the program is the public end of year Capstone Research Symposium. At this event, students present actual research findings on medical topics they are passionate about to medical professionals, families, the community members, and anyone else in the public who is interested. More information can be found on the instagram account @MorrisAlliedHealth,” says Valverde.

A PASSION FOR STUDENTS

Dr. William Thimmel is passionate about his profession as well.

“I’m honored and proud to be part of the team,” he says. “This program is a fantastic opportunity for young students interested in a health care profession to experience and gain an early knowledge of graduate level material,” he says.

Angel Cabrera finds inspiration in his students. “Seeing the pride in my students when they begin to understand complex medical topics they once found intimidating is rewarding. This program shows them that there is no limit to the things that they can accomplish and empowers them to take ownership of their education,” he says.

Catherine Dougherty enjoys seeing her students at PTHS soar.

“From shaking their hands during the admissions interview to proudly reading their names as they walk across the stage at Rutgers’ graduation, being part of my students’ journey is incredibly special. Hearing alumni are prepared for their dream careers shows that the impact we have extends far beyond the classroom,” she says.

Michael Seeback is proud to be part of Allied Health Academy: “Our program affords students the opportunity to take a unique blend of courses that prepare them for any and all careers in the health care profession as well as working with practicing health care professionals in a hospital setting. Our alumni report a higher level of preparation and confidence to engage in coursework and with a discerned career pathway,” says Seeback.

A common misconception is that academy members have to pursue health care in college.

“You’re not locked into a career in health care by joining the academy and can leave the program at any time if you decide this is not the right fit,” says Haber. An exit interview is completed after informing the academy coordinator for students to be released if needed.

In the end, Haber finds the program endlessly rewarding.

“The most rewarding part of this program is the excitement of the students when they return from rotations, when they can’t wait to tell me what they did or witnessed while shadowing,” she says. “I love when I see them out and about, whether it be while they’re in the program or after they graduate, hearing a ‘Hi, Mrs. Haber!’ when at a Yankee game or at the store brings me joy.”

Haber loves to hear how the students’ time in the Allied Health Academy and during their Chilton rotations influenced their life and college class choice. “I enjoy watching them grow and become employed, often at Atlantic Health; so many stay in touch,” she says. “They’ll email me and tell me they remember what they learned here; it’s the best part of the job, the students. I’m proud to be a part of this program and Atlantic Health. This is an excellent program that connects Atlantic Health Chilton Medical Center and the community.”

For Pequannock students interested in finding out more, see your guidance counselor for the application process.

BY ANTONIETTA HENRY