Hospitals tapping high school and college students to create pipeline to the next wave of talent
By Jolene Cleaver
The future of healthcare in the Mohawk Valley may depend on how well local institutions connect students to science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.
Hospitals and health networks are beginning to look beyond traditional clinical roles, turning to high school and college students to pipeline the next wave of talent.
Kim Gent, senior talent and acquisition professional at Mohawk Valley Health System, said the hospital system has been increasing recruitment for STEM positions that go far beyond doctors and nurses. Gent said many Utica Proctor High School students come to MVHS facilities for tours and career exploration and their interests often reflect what they see in their own classrooms.
“They are extremely interested in our lab because we have a lot of robotics in our lab. They are interested in that because they can take robotics in school so they can actually see that at work,” Gent said. “They are very interested in radiology. They are also extremely interested in sterile processing.”
Among the opportunities, Gent pointed to a central sterile apprenticeship that can serve as a gateway for students who want to move up to surgical scrub technician. At MVHS, there are also apprenticeships in behavioral health, certified CNA and medical assistant training.
At the Bassett Healthcare Network, Joshua George, medical imaging regional manager, said his team often engages directly with students.
“When we are talking to high school students, which we do a lot of, and when we are talking to X-ray students, which we see in our clinical areas on a daily basis, we’re talking about those careers,” George said. He added that fields such as physician assistants and radiology remain areas of growth.
Bassett has made outreach a priority. Lynn Johnson, director of medical imaging at Bassett, said the pandemic underscored the need to connect students early.
“Since COVID we’ve really tried to get into high schools, showing them equipment,” Johnson said. “Our goal here at Bassett Healthcare Network is really to grow our own locally. Really we find that we do a lot of onsite clinical for some of these students.”
Career days have been central to that effort. Johnson recalled how one such event in Edmeston shaped an entire family.
“Triplets from Edmeston — one went into ultrasound and another became a nurse,” Johnson said. “That was because of a career day.”
The result is that students with strong math and science backgrounds are seeing career paths unfold close to home. Many can go directly into local education programs that set them on the track toward medical imaging, radiology and other specialized roles without leaving the region.
A broader pipeline
The health care sector is not alone in preparing the next generation. Across the Mohawk Valley, initiatives in STEM and STEAM are giving students hands-on exposure to career possibilities.
Stories like that of Adirondack High School student Axel Pitt illustrate the change. Pitt, 15, returned from the Project Fibonacci STEAM Leadership Conference at Rome’s Griffiss Business and Technology Park already reshaping his academic schedule.
“My son has always shown an interest in science and math, but attending Project Fibonacci this year has opened his eyes to so many different opportunities in both fields and how far they can take him,” said his mother, Nicole Pitt of Boonville. “He is asking to add physics classes to his schedule for sophomore year. He is walking away this week with invaluable experiences and new friends. He can’t wait to return next year to learn all about quantum.”
Rome Free Academy sophomore Brooke Parry also left the conference with more than career direction.
“I’d tell anyone my age to step outside their comfort zone because it exposes you to so much,” Parry said. “You never know who you’ll meet or the things you may like, that you were too scared to do before. Take every opportunity you have because you may never get it again.”
Her teammate, Ali Al Samoor, a Proctor High School graduate now studying automotive technology at SUNY Morrisville, said the program gave him resume-building experience and clarity about his future.
Building skills early
At Griffiss Institute, a STEM talent incubator in Rome, students as young as third grade are already exploring robotics, coding, cybersecurity and quantum concepts. Hands-on programs in drones, flight, biology, chemistry and engineering give them an early look at professional paths that can work in different industries.
“You can learn so much in a classroom but it is really that real-world experience of having the things that you are working on and how it’s going to apply to a job that you might like,” said Melissa Tallman, chief brand officer at Griffiss Institute. “Somebody who is really good in math may not even understand that they might be the next quantum physicist. Our job is to move that needle a little bit and introduce them to quantum physics. What it’s like to work with liquid nitrogen. What it’s like to solve problems.”
Tallman said the institute is focused on meeting students where they are while building both access and advanced skills.
Heather Hage, president and CEO of Griffiss Institute, said partnerships, including those with the New York Air National Guard, show how these programs tie to broader purposes.
“By connecting students, families and professionals with opportunities in STEM and national defense, we’re helping to grow a workforce rooted in both purpose and possibility,” she said.
A distinct model
For older students, Project Fibonacci offers a different experience. Now in its 10th year, the weeklong conference blends workshops, mentorship, tours and team problem-solving to encourage participants to tackle real-world issues.
“So far the success of this program is unique,” said Andrew Drozd, Ph.D.founder of the Project Fibonacci Foundation and president and CEO of Andro Computational Solutions. “The way we do this is not like your typical STEAM program. We focus on critical thinking. Leadership. Inquiry-based learning. Collaborative learning. The outcome of that is innovation.”
Drozd said financial barriers are eased through scholarships. “Thanks to the incredible generosity of our sponsors and donors, financial aid is available to help ensure that every passionate and deserving student can participate in this transformative experience,” he said.
A regional ecosystem
Together, Griffiss Institute, Project Fibonacci and health care partners are helping students transform curiosity into career momentum.
“Confidence is nurtured through activities that are starting even at third grade classrooms in the area,” said Todd Humiston, chief talent officer at Griffiss Institute.
For students like Pitt, Parry and Al Samoor, those opportunities are already reshaping the future. Students are not just learning abstract concepts, but preparing to contribute to industries that are expanding in their own backyard — from hospital imaging labs to advanced technology firms.
“Students who are really good in math or science may not see themselves as innovators,” Tallman said. “But when they get hands-on, when they get that chance to work with quantum concepts or code their own project, they realize they belong here. That’s how you build a pipeline.”