Joint release with Rotary of Prince George: Yellowhead, College of New Caledonia, Northern Health and School District No. 57

After a three-year hiatus, Adventures in Healthcare returns to Prince George from May 8- 10. The collaboration between the Rotary of Prince George: Yellowhead, the College of New Caledonia (CNC), the University of Northern BC (UNBC), Northern Health, and School District No. 57 (SD57) gives high school students a chance to explore health science education and careers in the north.

“The three-day program is an amazing opportunity for students to explore a wide range of health care related fields before deciding what path they want to pursue in the future,” said Erin Thomas, District Career Education Coordinator for SD57.

Fifty pre-selected Grade 10 and 11 SD57 students will participate in the interactive program. Understanding that youth learn best by doing, Adventures in Healthcare gives them hands-on experience in a variety of fields, including medicine, sonography, dentistry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychiatry, nursing, and chemistry.

"CNC’s health science programs all offer hands-on learning activities,” explained Dr. Tamara Chambers-Richards, Dean of Health Sciences at CNC. “We are excited to partner on this initiative and welcome high school students into our health sciences labs. Students will experience a taste of each program as they take this adventure through health care, considering their career options.”

In-person sessions will be hosted by CNC on May 8, UNBC on May 9, and Northern Health on May 10 to show students as many potential education and career pathways as possible.

“We look forward to showcasing the exciting possibilities of different careers in health, especially in a northern and rural context,” said Dr. Rebecca Schiff, Dean of Faculty of Human and Health Sciences at UNBC. “The collaboration between our organizations for this special initiative will enable visiting students to fully explore the wide variety of job paths possible.”

Adventures in Healthcare will also connect students with industry professionals and program alumni to get personal perspectives of what it takes to be successful in a health sciences career.

“Northern Health, like all of B.C., is experiencing a huge need for health care professionals,” said Sandra Rossi, Regional Director of Recruitment and Retention at Northern Health. “There is a massive range of career possibilities often unknown to young students. Adventures in Healthcare introduces students to approximately 50 of those careers, many requiring post-secondary education. Our past success with this program shows how well it works to attract local youth to health care opportunities!”

Since its inception in 2017, Adventures in Healthcare has engaged almost 120 high school students. The program ran from 2017 to 2019, before pausing for the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re glad the program is back, and it’s returning even stronger,” shared Ron Davis, Chair of the Yellowhead Rotary Club. “We now have a sister program in Terrace and one imminent in Sechelt. Adventures in Healthcare helps youth choose their postsecondary path, and feedback from alumni is overwhelmingly positive. The program focuses on today’s youth and tomorrow’s communities, which reflects the foundational goal of Rotary worldwide.”

Many students who previously attended Adventures in Healthcare are now attending colleges and universities in northern B.C. and across Canada. Others have already graduated and are pursuing careers in the healthcare field.

For more information on the program and alumni, visit Adventures in Healthcare.