Lahainaluna High School seniors in the Health Services Pathway recently toured the John A. Burns School of Medicine and met its dean, Jerris Hedges (left).

LAHAINA – Each year, Health Services Pathway seniors at Lahainaluna High School have the opportunity to visit the University of Hawaii’s John A. Burns School of Medicine on Oahu.

The medical students take the LHS seniors on a problem-based learning method that diagnoses patients and provides hands-on experiences. They also take the time to “talk story” about college life and getting into medical school.

The Lahainaluna students also had the opportunity to meet and talk to Dean Jerris Hedges of the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM).

Last week, juniors visited the University of Hawaii Maui College’s Allied Health Program, where they were introduced to the nursing and dental programs.

Health Services Pathway Advisor Malia Shimomura noted, “Encourage your child to sign up for Health Services Core, the first course in the program’s sequence. If students complete the program, students will be certified in CPR/First Aid, BLS (Basic Life Support) and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). Healthcare is a career that provides great pay, job security and fulfilment. Hawaii is currently in need of medical doctors, and JABSOM accepts 90 percent local applicants.

“LHS Health Services alumni, now health professionals, have been giving back to the program, acting as guest speakers and mentors to current students,” she added.

The Lahainaluna Health Services Pathway is also the home of HOSA: Health Occupations Students of America-Future Health Professionals.