Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - CH - 7

Mom-baby nurse Tina Flynn and Munster High School
student Alexandra Vjestica check the vitals on newborn
Leo Robinson as part of job shadowing at the Family
Birthing Center of Community Hospital.

CLIPBOARD PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES

St. Mary Medical Center

Members of the consortium-Hobart High School,
Ivy Tech and St. Mary Medical Center-have successfully partnered on a medical assistant (MA)
program. An MA acts as an administrator and
healthcare professional, performing both clinical
duties and managing administrative tasks in physician offices, laboratories, hospital outpatient centers
and other settings.
The MA position has emerged as one of the most
in-demand careers in healthcare. It provides a
rewarding salary, benefits and job security. More
than 160,000 new jobs are expected to become
available to MAs in the U.S. between 2012 and
2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
"Healthcare remains one of the strongest
employment sectors today," says Janice Ryba,
St. Mary Medical Center CEO. "The MA program is
our newest partnership with local school systems
that offers employment opportunities and exposes
students to the many varied careers in healthcare.
The program was developed based on a proactive
consortium of leaders committed to each student's
success and aligned with local employment needs.
It's been a 'win-win' partnership for everyone-the
school system, our healthcare system and, most
importantly, the students."
Students begin the program as juniors.
"By the time they graduate from high school,
they will have completed all their dual credit hours
through Ivy Tech and have their certificate to be a

medical assistant," explains Teresa Hallmen, medical assistant program chair, Lake County, Ivy Tech
Community College. "After they graduate from
high school, the students' externships take place in
cooperation with St. Mary Medical Center and other
hospitals. So far the MA program has been well
received, and we are looking to expand the curriculum to other school systems."
"Nothing means more to our students than getting a firsthand look at what they think they want to
do after they graduate," says Peggy Buffington, PhD,
superintendent for School City of Hobart. "Our kids
need to find their passion. When an employer opens
their doors to help make that happen, you are going
to have happy people in their future workplace."

St. Catherine Hospital

East Chicago students interested in the field of
healthcare but unsure of which area they want
to pursue may want to participate in the I Have
Promise project. The pilot initiative is supported
by the School City of East Chicago, Foundations
of East Chicago, Ivy Tech Community College and
St. Catherine Hospital.
Through the I Have Promise project, high school
students are paired with a volunteer mentor from
St. Catherine Hospital staff. Twice a month, designated students visit St. Catherine Hospital for group
shadowing activities and career experiences. They
learn about the many job and career paths available.
"This is a golden opportunity," says Leo Correa,

East Chicago Central High School students team up
with their mentors from St. Catherine Hospital to
create vision boards that illustrate their journey to
a career in healthcare.
FALL 2019

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - CH

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