Photo: Stony Brook Southampton Hospital
Stony Brook Southampton Hospital Launches Clinical Medical Assisting Program for High School Students
Students at Southampton High School now have a unique opportunity to gain firsthand work-based learning experiences at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital through a partnership between the Hospital, Southampton Union Free School District, and Eastern Suffolk Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES).
“This program connects high school students in Southampton with potential careers in healthcare,” explained Dr. Daniel Van Arsdale, DO, MHA, Director of Medical Education and Site Designated Institutional Official at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. “It’s a strong starting point for them, offering an opportunity to become part of a larger institution here at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital.”
In September 2024, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital welcomed the inaugural class of the New York State Education Department-approved Clinical Medical Assisting Career & Technical Education Program.
Over the course of this one-year program, participants will develop a range of skills under the guidance of a qualified ESBOCES instructor. “Students will learn everything from tracking patients’ vitals to patient intake and even how to draw blood,” Dr. Van Arsdale noted. “They’ll also gain exposure to various departments within the Hospital.”
“Our technical centers are experiencing historic demand, so this program allows more students to pursue Career and Technical Education (C.T.E.) closer to home,” said Leah Arnold, Director of Career, Technical, and Adult Education at Eastern Suffolk BOCES, in a press release. “This is a model for collaboration between industry, school districts, and career and technical education.”
The program is open to high school juniors and seniors. High school students interested in enrolling in the program should reach out to their high school counselor for more information. The inaugural class includes Emilia Atancuri, Erika Barbecho, Brooke Bockhaus, Lanaiya Gumbs, Paige Hopson, Thomas Little, Morgan Mayo, Hayleigh McNamara, Erik Mejia, Jamie Morales, Daelyn Palmore, and Ava Rosolia.
