High school health science academy inspires future healthcare leaders
This summer, the Institute for Health Disparities at UNT Health Fort Worth welcomed
twenty rising seniors from Castleberry and Lake Worth High Schools to campus for its
High School Health Science Summer Academy. The two-week program introduced students
to science, technology, engineering, math and medicine, biomedical research, and career
development through hands-on learning, mentorship, and immersive laboratory and simulation
experiences. A special component of the program is UNT Health graduate students mentoring
high school students in research and career development while strengthening their
own leadership and mentoring skills.
The K–12 initiative, led by IHD director of research training Dr. Damaris Javier, was implemented for the second consecutive summer in collaboration with the Tarrant To & Through Partnership and the Fort Worth Mayor’s Council on Education and Workforce Development. The initiative also represents a collaboration with UNT Health’s Division of the Chief of Staff and Office of the President. This year, funding support was provided by the Rainwater Charitable Foundation and the Tarrant To & Through Partnership.
“Mentorship is one of the most powerful investments we can make in the future workforce. By exposing students to STEMM careers early and surrounding them with mentors, role models and authentic learning experiences, we help them envision possibilities they may never have considered," Javier said. "Many students may never have access to these experiences without intentional programs and community partnerships. Equally important are the partnerships that make these experiences possible, allowing us to leverage our collective strengths, create meaningful opportunities and build sustainable pathways that prepare for the next generation."
During the closing ceremony, Dr. David Saenz, president and CEO of the Tarrant To & Through Partnership and senior advisor for the Fort Worth Mayor's Council on Workforce and Education, announced that each participant would receive a $500 gift card in recognition of their dedication, hard work and commitment throughout the academy. Students expressed genuine appreciation, and even relief, as they could now purchase laptops and supplies for school.
“This program is a strong example of what effective partnership can achieve when we align education, workforce and community priorities," Saenz said. "By connecting students to healthcare professionals, research opportunities, and STEMM pathways, the program is intentionally developing a pipeline of future talent in fields that are critical to our region’s economic vitality and public health."
By the conclusion of the program, staff, faculty, and mentors reflected on the growth they witnessed in the students. They demonstrated increasing confidence and enthusiasm while engaging in hands-on experiences, including wet-lab activities, CPR training, and an operating room scrubbing-in simulation, to name a few.
“Now I’m actually CPR certified, so whenever someone is down, I can actually help
them. The knowledge I gained showed me there’s more careers in the medical field than
I initially thought,” said Natalie from Castleberry.
The closing ceremony also recognized students for their accomplishments throughout the academy. While several awards and gifts were presented, one recognition came as a surprise. Throughout the two-week program, staff, teachers, and mentors carefully observed each student's overall development. Based on those observations, they selected one participant whose dedication distinguished her from her peers. The recipient of this special recognition was Diana Serato from Lakewood High School.
“This program is something that I’ll never forget," Serato said. "I’ll carry this with me throughout my whole future."
The students’ teacher also observed their growth throughout the program, reflecting on the ways in which the students from separate schools collaborated through shared interest and curiosity.
“Not only are they collaborating with each other, but the two schools are actually coming together and they’re talking. They’re communicating with each other, about healthcare, their future careers and other things,” said Ms. Rifenburgh, a health science teacher from Castleberry.
Rifenburgh expressed her gratitude for the hands-on resources provided throughout the program. She particularly highlighted the DNA extraction activity as both easy and engaging to replicate in her own lessons. The program went beyond inspiring the students. It provided tools for educators to utilize within the classroom and further foster interest in STEMM and healthcare.
One of the program’s primary objectives was to expose the students to the role of research in solving everyday problems. During the closing ceremony, not only did they get to hear personally from Dr. Christopher Ray, UNT Health provost; Dr. Jamboor Vishwanatha, vice president of IHD; and Saenz, students also presented research posters in groups of five. Each group focused on a social issue of interest to the team. Topics included drug abuse, the impact of social media on mental health, food security and the environmental effects of microplastics.
The High School Health Science Summer Academy is one of many programs which continues to reflect UNT Health, IHD and its collaborators' commitment to inspiring the next generation of scientists, healthcare professionals and researchers. By providing students with meaningful experiences, mentorship and early exposure to STEMM careers, the program continues to pave a path toward success for our local high school youths.
This program would not be possible without the generous contribution from our collaborators, mentors, speakers, faculty and staff at UNT Health. These collaborators include UNT Health graduate student mentors, UNT Health and UNT Denton’s admissions teams, College of Nursing, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Pharmacy and Health Professions, UNT Health Career Readiness Center, Texas Center for Patient Safety and Institute for Health Disparities.