More than 60 Dartmouth area junior high students gathered recently at the North Preston Community Centre to learn more about possible career paths in health care. Health Professions Exploration Day is a partnership between the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation and the Promoting Leadership in Health for African Nova Scotians (PLANS) Program, with Dalhousie University.
“I’m hoping today while you’re here with us, that you get that inspiration,” said Dr. Barb Hamilton-Hinch, Dalhousie Professor and Assistant Vice-Provost Equity and Inclusion. “We hope today you begin to think ‘what is my path?’”
The students toured through several exhibits, learning about various health care fields like nursing, dentistry, occupational therapy, psychiatry and more.
“We are hiring, so there will be a job for you when you graduate,” said Stephen Harding, President and CEO of the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation. “We want you to be part of the future health care system.”
PLANS is an organization dedicated to supporting African Nova Scotian and Black learners pursuing careers in health. Through a range of initiatives including the co-op program, Health Professions Exploration Day, the Black Learners Admissions Pathway, the Sophia B. Jones Mentorship Program, and more, PLANS provides students with opportunities for hands-on learning, mentorship, and academic support.
Fifteen of the PLANS co-op students helped run the Health Professions Exploration Day, under the direction of the DGH Foundation’s Community Partnership Officer Mariam Sulyman.
“It’s such a beautiful representation of when you invest in youth, what they give back to you,” says Mariam.
Each junior high student not only spent time learning about health care professions, but they also left with detailed information on the PLANS program and bursary initiatives for learners of African descent.
“We want these students to know that there’s support out there,” says Mariam. “And if they want to do it, we can help get them there.”
