New Visions Heath Professions is a pre-college, senior year program at WEMOCO that provides students with insights into health careers with a focus on economics and government. Their school year culminates with public policy presentations which tie the three strands together. The students select a topic that is a health-related public concern and that does not currently have a solution. The goal of the presentations is to develop workable solutions for these challenges. 

“In the fourth quarter of the year, the students turn in a research paper that is 18 or more pages on their selected topic,” shared teacher Todd Pschierer. “They research the topic through traditional sources, and they interview professionals, community members and elected officials. It puts the students directly in touch with change agents. The public policy presentations are based on the research papers and provide a concise summary in 15 to 17 minutes.”

“Each presentation explores the focus issue and must present suggested actions for legislation, increasing public awareness, and education,” said teacher Pamela Suess. “The students learn the methods we use in a democracy to change things that need changing.” 

This year’s presentation topics were childhood obesity, vaccine hesitation, closing the health care coverage gap, barriers to effective mental health care, and the cost of prescription drugs. Working on their topics in groups of three, the students honed skills required to work as a team. In whatever health care career they ultimately choose, teamwork will always be a major component.

For the presentations, the students created a slide show and everyone in the group did a portion of the speaking. Related videos found during the research were incorporated. Students created sample publications that could be used in an awareness campaign. They even did the research to create a possible budget for implementation of their educational materials. 

All students enrolled in New Visions plan to pursue a college program and future employment in a health care career. In a regular school year, students shadow professionals in local hospitals and other medical facilities.