Hill's Educational Leadership in Medicine Institute

St. Joseph Hill Academy High School, in partnership with Staten Island University Hospital/Northwell Health, proudly announced HELM, Hill's Educational Leadership in Medicine Institute, which began in Fall 2021. Seeking to be at the helm of healthcare education, preparation and partnership, this Career Institute for Women in Healthcare provides an opportunity for SJHA students 16 years and older to explore the world of healthcare in real time by becoming immersed in the day-to-day activities of healthcare professionals. 

HELM consists of juniors and seniors who are interested in exploring careers in healthcare, including Physician, Physician's Assistant (PA), Nurse, Occupational Therapist (OT), Physical Therapist (PT), Speech Therapist, or Hospital Administrator. The Institute will consist of a didactic and a clinical component. Among the learning experiences planned are career panels and an executive lecture series that will take place both at St. Joseph Hill Academy and SIUH. In addition, HELM will include opportunities to tour SIUH and its facilities. 

HELM students will have an opportunity to earn certificates in certain areas such as CPR. Students can earn participation credits for volunteering at SIUH and attending career panels, lecture series, and other learning opportunities. The credits will earn students the opportunity to become more involved in different aspects within the hospital, such as shadowing medical and administrative professionals.

HELM also includes opportunities for volunteering in areas of interest as well as observing and shadowing staff members.  SJHA and SIUH/Northwell, collaborated on a comprehensive syllabus for the program.

Ms. Jennifer Pla, SJHA Chairperson of the Science Department, serves as the HELM Coordinator. Ms. Pla notes, "Just as laboratories for science classes allow students to put theory into practice, the HELM Institute will give Hilltoppers the opportunity to explore the rapidly changing health care system. It will allow them to develop an understanding of current healthcare issues and make a well-informed career choice among the many health occupations."

This is a unique and exciting opportunity for Hilltoppers to have up close exposure to an array of career paths in the medical field and access successful healthcare professionals who can serve as mentors and educators to our students. 

 

We were so excited to have Ms. Springstead, an Associate Director of Human resources, Dr. Pierro, a Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist, Ms. Shaw, a Senior Director of Operations in Cardiology, and Ms. Smith, a Director of Palliative Care, come to our school and answer any questions the students had about their jobs and lives as healthcare providers. The informative career panel helped the girls better understand that the hospital has so many different jobs and opportunities.

 

The first session of the 2022-2023 school year kicked off with a panel moderated by Meagan Sills, the Deputy Executive Director of SIUH Northwell, and a Hill Alum! Representing a variety of leadership roles in the hospital, the career panel included Rachel Smith, Director of Clinical Operations, Palliative Care, Karyn Treval, Deputy Chief Nursing Officer, and Nicole Bock, Senior Director Operations in Neurosurgery.

 

HELM students participated in hands-on activities led by attending physicians and residents from the Emergency Department from SIUH on October 19, 2022. Students were given the opportunity to learn about AED, CPR, tourniquets, and intraosseous IV from Drs. Rodriguez and Mungroo. Dr. Romito showed photos, X-rays, and CT scans of injuries and conditions seen at the ED. Case studies included dislocations, rashes, blood clots, and traumatic injuries. Dr. Lee demonstrated how ultrasound is used to diagnose a patient in the ED. Dr. Joseph Basile, Interim Department Chair of the Emergency Department, also spoke about life in the Emergency Department and happens to be an SJHA Elementary School Alum. It was a great, hands-on learning experience for Hilltoppers!

NP Deena Maimone explained her experience as a pediatric nurse practitioner. She demonstrated how she inserts a port into a pediatric patient to deliver medications and to draw blood. These 4 women were such an inspiration to the HELM students. They truly exemplified what leadership means in medicine!