A partnership between Adrian High School, Hills-Beaver Creek High School, Edgerton High School, Luverne High School, Pipestone Area High School, and several healthcare employers has received a LYFT Career Pathways Innovation award to develop and implement a Medical Careers Program. This initiative provides students with valuable hands-on experience and real-world training in healthcare settings, preparing them for future careers in the medical field.

Program Overview

• Intro to Healthcare Careers – Students build problem-solving skills, teamwork, and interpersonal communication while learning clinical basics.
• Field Experiences in Healthcare – Students engage in real-world healthcare environments, shadowing professionals and applying classroom knowledge to clinical settings.

The program is led by a Registered Nurse instructor and supported by strong partnerships with healthcare providers in the community. Through this collaboration, students receive direct exposure to different healthcare professions, enhancing both their technical skills and career readiness.

Hands-On Learning Environment

• A mock hospital room
• A clinic exam room
• A physical therapy/occupational therapy/chiropractic exam room
• A nurse’s station

These facilities allow students to engage in realistic training scenarios under the guidance of experienced healthcare professionals, giving them a solid foundation in clinical skills and patient care.

Students Impacted

• 175 volunteer hours this semester
• 800 shadowing hours next semester

Enrollment by Year:

• Fall 2017 – 21 students
• Fall 2018 – 18 students
• Spring 2019 – 4 students
• Fall 2019 – 19 students
• Spring 2020 – 9 students
• Fall 2020 – 17 students
• Fall 2021 – 18 students
• Fall 2022 – 18 students
• Fall 2023 – 20 students
• Fall 2024 – 21 students

Educational and Industry Partners

• Minnesota West Community and Technical College (course host and hands-on training)
• SWWC Service Cooperative (administrative and program support)
• Sanford Health
• Pipestone County Medical Center
• Adrian Family Dental
• Lewis Family Drug
• New Life Treatment Center
• Rock County Chiropractic
• Reactive Wellness
• Oasis Care Home
• Good Samaritan Society – Poplar Creek Estates
• Minnesota Veterans Home

Key Outcomes & Success Stories

• Alignment between education and workforce needs
• Increased student engagement and interest in healthcare careers
• Strong industry partnerships creating career pathways for students
• Nearly 1,000 hours of real-world healthcare experience gained this year

Lessons Learned & Future Plans

• Hands-on learning increases student engagement and confidence.
• Strong industry connections enhance learning and create career opportunities.
• Continued collaboration with healthcare partners will ensure program sustainability and growth.

This program bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world healthcare, creating a supported pathway for students to enter the medical field with confidence and experience.

For more information, contact Kate Anderson at SWWC.