| Students at Baltimore schools get a taste of | | | | incentive for MedStar is the potential new |
| a health career | | | | stream of employees that the program will |
| | | | open up. It's no secret that MedStar is |
| A new initiative at Baltimore schools | | | | facing a worrying shortage of skilled |
| provides yet another glimpse into the | | | | manpower. Doctors and nurses as well as |
| possibilities that a public school system can | | | | those who don't require much more than a high |
| throw up for its students, if it only makes | | | | school education are in demand, and for |
| the effort. Baltimore schools have tied up | | | | MedStar this program allows Baltimore schools |
| with MedStar the Columbia based health care | | | | students to test the waters, before plunging |
| system, to offer students an opportunity to | | | | into a health career, preferably at MedStar's |
| intern at health facilities. The exposure, it | | | | own facilities. |
| is believed will help students who have | | | | |
| already considered a move into a health | | | | There is every indication that MedStar is |
| career as part of their future, to make a | | | | looking at the Rx for Success program as a |
| firm decision. Those who might have been | | | | long term one. Under the memorandum, the |
| curious about what a medical job involves | | | | program will be funded for years, but the |
| will now have an opportunity to see first | | | | success of the program will probably lead to |
| hand the joys and satisfaction of such a job, | | | | its permanency. The program offer students |
| as well as its myriad challenges. | | | | reading materials and learning facilities |
| | | | besides helping Baltimore schools |
| This new school to work program at Baltimore | | | | participating in the program to create large |
| School is called Rx for Success, and it is | | | | make shift "hospitals" in the basement |
| already giving students a foretaste of what | | | | complete with a version of a pediatric care |
| working in a medical job could be like. The | | | | room and an intensive care unit for students |
| program offers students at Baltimore schools | | | | to practice in. |
| a chance to have summer internships at one of | | | | |
| its seven hospitals. Students can also opt | | | | From all feedback to date, the program has |
| for internships at other health care centers | | | | been a grand success. Baltimore schools |
| operated by MedStar including home nursing | | | | students are enthused about what they are |
| services and surgical centers. | | | | learning, and the value it can bring to |
| | | | others. The on site training offered to the |
| Businesses Look to Baltimore Schools for | | | | students plus the rich experience of working |
| Future Employees | | | | closely with physicians and other heath |
| | | | professionals, who they otherwise wouldn't |
| For MedStar, the program's main benefit is | | | | have got the chance to know on a personal |
| that it gives them an opportunity to offer | | | | level has helped many students at Baltimore |
| Baltimore schools students, especially the | | | | schools make up their minds about a medical |
| lower income ones, a chance to get a foothold | | | | career. |
| in satisfying health careers. The other | | | | |