3rd Year of Partnership Leads to Planned Expansion for Maroons Interested in Careers in Health Care

Program Focus 

Following a successful pilot with juniors and seniors during the 2011-12 academic year, the Maroons in Health Sciences program is planning to expand for year three – to include sophomores in a year-long series of opportunities.  The partnership between Dowling Catholic High School (DCHS), Mercy College of Health Sciences, and Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines, will give DCHS students a unique opportunity to explore the many fields of health science involved in the delivery of health care in the United States.  

Partnering with the state’s largest Catholic hospital and only Catholic health science college, students will receive unique opportunities to gain a better understanding of the mission-focus of careers in health science from leading healthcare experts and educators in our community.

With the growing shortage of health care workers across a spectrum of roles and responsibilities, this partnership will help students to consider career fields ranging from the familiar (family practice physician, general surgeon, registered nurse, dietitian, pharmacist) to the relatively unknown (polysomnographic technologist, child life specialist, medical interpreter). Because of the unique nature of today’s health care environment, most major medical centers employ people in hundreds of unique job fields, to ensure that every aspect of patient care leads to the best outcomes possible.

The program will focus on:

• Learning that instills curiosity and respects life at all stages
• Learning that is project based and aimed at real world problems/issues that are important to humanity 
• Learning that is connected to the community and continues outside of the classroom and school day 
• Learning that constructs knowledge through research that springs from evidence-based practice 
• Learning that is collaborative, values technology and encourages critical thinking skills 
• Learning that includes authentic assessments to demonstrate learning and understanding within the context of the human condition and human subjects
• Learning that guides students to a better understanding of careers in health care that may best fit their skills and abilities
• Learning that excites students to seek careers in Catholic health care leadership

Students must apply for admission to the program through our website. Students who participated in 2012-13 are invited to apply again for another year. Gatherings will take place during scheduled times outside the regular school day hours.  Presentation and panel discussions with experts from both the Medical Center and the College will also occur during seminar period.

Students admitted to this program, who successfully complete mandatory federal and state compliance education will be given access to restricted areas within medical facilities in order to

experience first-hand the medical technology used to diagnose and treat diseases and disorders. This access is intended to help participants’ gain greater understanding of the role and benefits

First Aid, CPR, Nursing Assistant and Emergency Medical Technician Course Opportunities

Students will also be eligible to enroll in Mercy College’s Nursing Assistant and/or Emergency Medical Technician short-term certificate programs during summer sessions at discounted tuition rates (non-College credit only).