Healthworks Academies

Building the Professional Pipeline for the Future of Healthcare

Solving a hidden threat to national security.

“According to a study by the Association of American Medical Colleges, by 2020, one-third of doctors will reach retirement age, resulting in a shortage of 45,000 primary care physicians, and over 46,000 surgeons and medical specialists,” says Healthworks Academies Founder and CEO, Dale Keshishian.

With doctors leaving the healthcare field in huge numbers, there won’t be enough graduating students coming in to keep up with the healthcare demands we’re about to see as millions of new Baby Boomers grow older, and national healthcare policies make health insurance available to millions more. Ms. Keshishian sees this failure to meet demand as a major threat to national security.

Despite the growing number of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs popping up in high schools all around the country, Ms. Keshishian saw a missing link between schools and the professional world. Although students are learning advanced math and science skills, they have no way to envision themselves using those skills to make a difference for people in the professional world. By the time they’re ready for college, most have little idea what they want to do with their studies, and their knowledge about the healthcare profession is extremely limited.

Putting Young Talent with Advanced Science Skills to Good Use

Ms. Keshishian saw an opportunity to address this problem at a national level and created a pipeline program that develops next-generation health science professionals by connecting high school STEM students with the health science field.

In addition to providing schools with a comprehensive STEM curriculum, they also offer students the opportunity to explore career opportunities and emerging industry trends through their turn-key program that fits high schools of any size and location.

Since partnering with Impact Deposits Corp. and receiving support through the Impact Deposit Program, 89 additional students have been able to shadow careers in several health science industry departments, including clinical medicine, cancer research, and a pharmaceutical and medical device incubator. These students met with working professionals, saw their work in action, and learned about academic pathways, career ladders, and industry trends.

Career Guidance at a Deeper Level

Programs like Healthworks Academies exist only at the college level, and they don’t often track the career paths of students once they graduate, so they have no way of knowing what impact they’re having on the field.

What makes Healthworks Academies unique is how they connect with interested students long before college to prepare them for what’s next, and they monitor student progress throughout both their school and professional careers.

Born out of Philadelphia, Healthworks Academies has grown to have its programs in several local high schools so far. The Rothman Institute recently jumped on board as a founding sponsor and offers intensive professional learning opportunities for students in their medical and research departments, creating a complete cycle of learning.

To learn more about Healthworks Academies and support their programs, visit: https://healthworksacademies.org/