The Kentucky Chamber Foundation, in partnership with the Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) and Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government’s WORK-Lexington program, hosted its first-ever Future Healers: A Hands-On Health Care Exploration Camp on July 22-24. The camp gave two dozen middle school students from Fayette County Public Schools a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the health care field.
“This camp was about more than summer enrichment; it was about inspiring Kentucky’s future workforce by exposing students to critical, high-demand career pathways,” said Beth Davisson, Senior Vice President of the Kentucky Chamber Foundation. “We’re incredibly grateful to the Kentucky Hospital Association, our employer partners, and the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government’s WORK-Lexington program for helping make this meaningful experience possible. Health care is a cornerstone of every community, and we’re proud to help young Kentuckians imagine themselves in these vital roles.”
The three-day experience was made possible through collaboration with the WORK-Lexington program and KHA, as part of the Foundation’s Talent Pipeline Management (TPM) program, which helps hospitals strengthen their workforce by building talent pipelines, recruiting future health care professionals, and sharing best practices to fill critical roles across hospital settings.
“Health care careers are vital to the strength and resilience of our communities, and it’s never too early to spark interest in these critical roles. Through our Talent Pipeline Management partnership with the Kentucky Chamber Foundation, we’re working to strengthen Kentucky’s health care workforce by engaging future talent early,” said Melanie Landrum, Senior Vice President of Data, Operations and Innovation of the Kentucky Hospital Association. “Programs like Future Healers give students a first-hand look at the many rewarding opportunities in hospital settings and are essential to building a strong, homegrown talent pipeline.”
As part of the program, students toured three Lexington hospitals and participated in hands-on training exercises to inspire them for future health care career pathways. The camp connected students directly with professionals in fields such as nursing, radiology, physical therapy, and surgery.
“WORK-Lexington is committed to creating opportunities that connect young people to meaningful career pathways, and this camp is a perfect example of that mission in action,” said Amy Glasscock, Director of Business Engagement of Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. “Through our partnership with the Kentucky Chamber Foundation, Kentucky Hospital Association, and local employers, we’re helping students explore the health care field, develop new skills, and see themselves in high-demand jobs that serve their community. Collaborations like this are key to shaping Lexington’s future workforce.”
Highlights included:
- Virtual reality medical simulations
- Guided hospital tours of Baptist Health Lexington, Saint Joseph Hospital, and UK HealthCare
- Career exploration labs led by local health care professionals
- Hands-on surgical skills and diagnostic tool demonstrations
- CPR and First Aid certification for all students
For more information about the Kentucky Chamber Foundation’s partnership with the Kentucky Hospital Association, visit https://www.kyha.com/workforce/hospital-talent-pipeline-management/ or contact Callie Miracle, Director of the Workforce Center, at cmiracle@kychamber.com.
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