First-of-its-Kind Program Gives Pasco County Students an Opportunity to Explore Careers in Health Care

April 22, 2024 — AdventHealth Zephyrhills has launched Pasco County’s first Health Care Explorer Post, leading the way to re-establish the program in the greater Tampa Bay area. Explorers is a program sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America, where young people from all backgrounds can get immersive career experience.

In this first-of-its-kind partnership, AdventHealth Zephyrhills has onboarded a cohort of 17 young men and women from ages 16 to 20 years old as official junior volunteers at the hospital. The Explorers meet monthly and work on various student-driven projects with adult guidance and support from AdventHealth team members.

During their months in the program, students will learn about some of the most needed medical field jobs outside of nursing; Imaging, Respiratory Therapy, and Medical Laboratory Science. These occupations have a growth outlook of 5 percent or more, over the average occupation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“We’re bringing in students from Pasco County and showing them that these non-nursing careers are essential to our hospital system and that they offer a lucrative career path,” said Mistie Palmer, Learning Operations Manager for AdventHealth West Florida Division. “It’s one of the many ways AdventHealth is investing in dynamic education and working to inspire young people in our community to pursue jobs with great potential for personal growth, professional fulfilment and financial success.”

The inaugural health care Explorers program is underway at AdventHealth Zephyrhills where students will participate in hands-on career exploration with the radiology and sterile processing teams. Later this summer, the group will learn about respiratory therapy in the simulation lab. Local colleges will be present to guide students through educational requirements required to build a career in respiratory Therapy.

About AdventHealth Zephyrhills

AdventHealth Zephyrhills is a 149-bed acute care hospital and is a member of the faith-based AdventHealth System, providing a connected network of care in nearly a dozen states with more than 50 hospitals and hundreds of care sites. Since 1985, the hospital has provided award-winning care with a mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ. The hospital offers a wide variety of services to include heart care, orthopedics, women’s health, surgical care, digestive health, robotic technology, a 24/7 emergency room with online scheduling and more. With a focus on whole-person care, skilled and compassionate caregivers provide individualized care for body, mind and spirit. To learn more about the hospital’s services, visit AHZephyrhills.com.