For the last 10 years, the Medical Sciences Learning Center at Freehold High School (FHS) and CentraState Health System have worked together to expose students to a wide range of careers with CentraState professionals.
The program enrolls 30 freshmen from the district’s six high schools each year. The 30 students remain in the program through senior year, while completing their comprehensive high school studies.
“Students apply to enter the Medical Sciences program with the idea that they want to go into medicine or into a scientific field,” says Marybeth Ruddy, the center’s supervisor. “CentraState gives them the opportunity to experience the entire field of health care – from patient care to administration to laboratory and support services.”
Students in the Medical Sciences program, which last fall received an “Exemplary Program Designation” from the New Jersey School Boards Association, have the opportunity to participate in a series of lectures by CentraState physicians and professionals, serve as volunteers in hospital units, enroll in four years of study in an accelerated, unique, and rigorous program of science and mathematics that is modeled after an undergraduate pre-medical course of study in addition to more classes and an externship at the hospital.
“Our physicians and staff members really enjoy working with the students and giving them an up close view of health care careers,” says John McGeehan, CentraState’s community relations coordinator. “We also hope our involvement in this program will encourage these future physicians and health care providers to come back to our area to practice.”
The 10-year anniversary will be celebrated during the annual senior recognition program from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 4 at the CentraState Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus auditorium. During the program, a total of $5,000 in scholarships will be awarded through the CentraState Healthcare Foundation.
