Washington High School partners with IU South Bend, expanding students medical career exploration opportunities

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Students at Washington High School are getting a jumpstart in the medical field before they even get their diplomas!

An immersive health sciences ‘Medical Magnet’ Program lets students earn college credit while still taking high school classes. They also have a chance to spend the summer at IU South Bend, furthering their career exploration. 

Medical Magnet Coordinator at Washington High School, Theresa Gordette says, “I don’t think our community knows that right here in South Bend, Indiana; at Washington High School; in the South Bend Community School Corporation, that we have all of the premiere health science pathways, and now we’re even offering exercise sciences.” 

With a full simulation lab on-site, hands-on training happens at school, and within the industry. 

WHS Senior, Daniel Njoroze interns at Beacon Health every Friday. He says, “it’s an opportunity to get involved; you get familiarized with the hospital setting.” 

Principal Kenard Robinson says the programs accommodate those who plan to go to both college or into the workforce, adding, "we are really encompassing the wholistic student.” 

This summer, those opportunities will expand even further. 

Junior High and WHS Medical Magnet students will be able to have immersive medical experiences at IU South Bend over the summer, seeing what health sciences look like at the college level.

The Dean of Health Sciences at IU South Bend, Jesus Garcia-Martinez says it’s all about strengthening the pipeline of students to workers here locally. 

Garcia-Martinez says, "we need about 60,000 nurses just in the state of Indiana. Here in the Michiana region, that number is about 5,000 to 6,000.” 

Inspiring students about medical careers early on and showing them they can pursue that passion right here in their own community. 

Gordette adds, "once they do graduate...they have all their certifications; we have a skilled workforce here in the community that can handle all of the healthcare needs.” 

To learn more about Washington High School's Medical Magnet program, visit the school's website.