A new partnership designed to introduce more than 1,000 Virginia high school students to local healthcare career opportunities is launching in Falls Church. This collaboration between local nonprofit Learning Undefeated and HCA Healthcare, the country's largest healthcare system, will bring hands-on healthcare-focused curriculum and career exploration activities to four Northern Virginia high schools in November and December.
Onboard Learning Undefeated's Mobile eXploration Lab (MXLab), students will explore healthcare science through hands-on laboratory activities based on common medical conditions like diabetes, sickle cell anemia, lung cancer, and more. Students will gain in-demand skills like protein purification and aseptic technique, used in biomanufacturing, and learn how an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) experiment can be used to diagnose subtypes of cancer. The country's largest mobile STEM laboratory will visit high schools in Fairfax, Herndon, Sterling, and Reston.
"The future of healthcare starts with inspiring the next generation to see the possibilities within our profession," said Nathan Vooys, chief executive officer of Reston Hospital Center, part of HCA Virginia. "By bringing hands-on learning experiences directly to Northern Virginia students, we're helping them explore rewarding careers in healthcare, from caring for patients at the bedside to working in laboratories and technology. At HCA Healthcare, we're proud to invest in opportunities that spark curiosity, build confidence and inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals who will help us continue creating healthier tomorrows."
"One of the most exciting moments on our labs is when students make the connection between the science they're learning and the career opportunities it can open up for them," said Brian Gaines, CEO of Learning Undefeated. "Through our partnership with HCA Healthcare, we're bringing hands-on learning to life while giving students the opportunity to engage directly with healthcare professionals, explore career pathways they may not have considered, and begin to see themselves as part of the next generation of healthcare professionals."
Healthcare offers opportunities across patient care, medical imaging, laboratory science, technology, and more. Many rewarding, well-paying roles do not require a decade of schooling, making healthcare an accessible career pathway for students with a range of interests and educational goals.