High school students in a healthcare pathway program to attend Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso were greeted at the 30th annual White Coat induction ceremony on Wednesday night.
The Socorro Independent School District Academy of Health Professionals program aims to prepare students for entry-level careers in health care. This is a partnership between the district, area colleges and health facilities in the El Paso area.
The ceremony recognized the first cohort of 27 nursing students entering the HPA program, who will strive to meet the requirements to apply for the TTUHSC bachelor’s degree program; in partnership with Texas Tech for the High School Pipeline program at the Hunt School of Nursing.
Students will perform clinical rotations at Providence Hospitals, University Medical Center, Del Sol Medical Center, Las Palmas Medical Center, Veterinary Hospital and Adobe Veterinary Hospital, Immunize El Paso, Centro San Vicente, La Oasis nursing home and rehabilitation center, Walgreens and CVS. pharmacies and various dental offices in the El Paso area as part of the program.
120 students were also recognized for their participation in HPA’s four-year program to become healthcare providers.
Parents helped their students put on their white coats and stethoscopes for the first time during the ceremony.
The presentation of the gowns and stethoscopes “served as a representation of the beginning of their transition from learning the book to work in the lab, to the clinic and finally to certificationâ€, Fabiola Armendariz, teacher at Socorro High School Career and Technical Health Sciences and health professionals. Academy coordinator, said in a press release.
“The concept of wearing these tools serves as a visual symbol of the healthcare professions,†Armendariz said.
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Cristina Carreon can be reached at ccarreon@elpasotimes.com and @ Cris_carreon90 on Twitter.
