More than Scrubs health science summit prepares high school students for their future

WARNER ROBINS — The 7th annual More than Scrubs Health Science Summit invited high school students to learn more about the vast careers in healthcare on Thursday. 

Students had the opportunity to tour Central Georgia Technical College’s Health Sciences building and learn more about classes available at Houston College & Career Academy. 

Principal and CEO of HCCA, Dr. Sherry Johnson, said the event is designed to inform students about opportunities available at the hospital. This includes being a doctor or nurse, or pursuing a technical field like aviation maintenance. 

“It’s about an array of jobs that are available in the hospital,” she said. 

The event has grown over the years by referencing data from “youth science,” an assessment students take in 9th grade. This lets them know their aptitudes and interests, Johnson explained. 

It will then give students the opportunity to choose a career that aligns with their aptitude or interests. Johnson shared that they always tell students their aptitude selections come naturally to them. 

This event includes high school sophomores because it is the starting point to decide on dual enrollment, Johnson said. She said they are getting ready to work on their schedules for next year.

“The sooner they know what they do like or don’t like, when they graduate their parents won’t spend all this money to send them off to school to be a nurse and once they get there, they say ‘I don’t want to do that,’” she said. 

Johnson remembers a student in their Certified Nursing Assistant program who was very interested in pursuing the career field. However, Johnson noticed she would come to school sad every day. When she asked what was wrong, the student said she had realized she still wanted to be in the medical field, but not as a CNA. 

Johnson said the student learned early on that she did not enjoy the career she pursued. 

“It’s important for them to know what they like and what they don’t like,” she said. 

Johnson hopes students will learn that healthcare is not only about doctors and nurses. During the event, they will discover other areas, such as surgical tech and the school’s dental department. 

“It’s about doing what you love and finding where you fit in,” she said. 

She also shared that some students were more interested in the cyber and technology side of the field. There were also hands-on students who enjoyed learning about the industrial systems. Johnson said they are learning they can still be in the medical field without taking the doctor or nurse route. 

Perry High School Junior Abby Giddens shared that her mother is a nurse practitioner, but she has never been interested in pursuing nursing because she does not like the sight of blood. However, she still wanted to be involved in the medical field. 

“I’m actually really interested in being a nurse practitioner in oncology helping with cancer. This tour interested me to see if I like this and be serious about since I go to college next year,” she said. 

During the event, she learned healthcare isn’t all about being hands-on with patients, and there’s much more that goes on behind the scenes. 

“[Healthcare] definitely interests me. I’m a people person, and I want to help them in any way I can. I really am interested in Oncology, like cancer. I feel like I just have a heart for them, and I want to help them get better,” she said. 

Destiny Moore and Ryan Smith are also interested in pursuing a career in healthcare right after high school. Moore is a student at Warner Robins High School, while Smith attends Perry High School. 

Moore shared that she heard about the summit from a friend and decided to attend because she has a strong interest in pursuing the field. She is leaning toward becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist or pursuing electrophysiology. 

“I just came to explore my options and see what is there to offer,” she said. 

Smith, on the other hand, is interested in physical therapy. He shared that his family has a history in medicine, which motivated him to follow in their footsteps. 

Looking ahead, Moore is excited to shadow this upcoming summer. She hopes to decide afterward which side of healthcare she will pursue. 

Smith is currently shadowing a doctor at CGTC and is determined to become a physical therapist. 

Johnson shared that HCCA has 23 pathways from welding, nursing, sports medicine, EMR and other healthcare fields. The academy also includes AP Calculus and AP Physics, and it is starting an Artificial Intelligence pathway for high school students, Jackson said. She also shared that most of their students are high school freshmen or sophomores. 

She said that they will expand their cybersecurity program and add fire science for those interested in working at fire departments. 

HCCA partners with CGTC and Middle Georgia State University. 

Johnson shared that they are always open for tours and additional support for their fire science program. She explained that they are part of Peach State Credit, which provides a tax credit for donations. 

Houston College and Career Academy is located at 1311 Corder Road. To learn more about the academy, visit their website.