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Plainview-Old Bethpage Celebrates North Shore-LIJ Partnership with “White Coat Ceremony”
Partnership with “White Coat Ceremony”
Innovative Course Prepares Students for Careers in Healthcare
Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School (POBJFK) recently hosted a visit of representatives from North Shore-LIJ Health System for a “White Coat Ceremony.” Thirty of POBJFK’s Health Related Careers male and female students were presented with an official North Shore-LIJ lab coat as a symbol of their dedication to investigating a future in health sciences.
"The White Coat Ceremony is a celebration of our new Health Related Careers course, the amazing achievements of our students and our partnership with North Shore-LIJ,” said Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District Science Chairperson Joyce Barry. “The goal of this course is to introduce students to the vast variety of career opportunities available to them in the healthcare industry. It creates a vehicle by which our students can explore possibilities for their future.”
POBJFK Health Related Careers teacher Charlie Marfoglio developed the curriculum and taught the course during the 2012-13 school year, incorporating his personal experiences as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and his extensive knowledge of the healthcare industry. Due to his efforts, the District has seen a significant increase in the 2013-14 enrollment for the EMT course and anatomy/physiology course.
The new course has already given POBJFK students the opportunity to learn about important career-oriented topics such as Patient Assessment, CPR, HIPPA Laws, Radiology, Pharmacology, Laboratory Sciences, Nursing, Emergency Medicine, Anatomy, Physiology and Business.
The Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District (POBCSD) and North Shore-LIJ recently began a partnership to establish a “Career Academy” in which students learn about and experience various career endeavors in the healthcare industry, creating a pipeline for a future workforce that is knowledgeable about the industry and has the skills and education that businesses need.
“We applaud Plainview-Old Bethpage for their leadership and vision in ensuring their students are college and career ready,” said Cheryl Davidson, Corporate Director of Workforce Readiness at North Shore-LIJ Health System.
“Science Chair Joyce Barry was instrumental in the partnership between North Shore-LIJ and our District and the creation of the Health Related Careers course,” said POBCSD Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Jill Gierasch. “We are delighted with the opportunities that have been afforded to our high school students and the connection with the Hofstra Medical School and our elementary children.”
"The Health Related Careers program gives the students a unique opportunity to see behind the scenes into the healthcare system,” said POBJFK Science teacher Charlie Marfoglio. “I think that the students have realized that healthcare is more than just being a doctor. I look forward to expanding the scope of the program to a full academy."
The event featured notable speakers including POBCSD Board of Education Vice President Ginger Lieberman, POBCSD Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Jill Gierasch, Nassau County Legislator Judy Jacobs and Executive Director of Plainview and Syosset North Shore-LIJ Hospitals Michael Fener.
Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School students in the new Health Related Careers course
don white coats donated by the North Shore-LIJ Health System at the recent White Coat Ceremony.
Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School student Amanda Gross receives her honorary
white coat at the recent ceremony with North Shore-LIJ. (left to right) POBJFK Principal James Murray,
Amanda Gross, POBCSD Superintendent Dr. Lorna Lewis, POB Board of Education
Vice President Ginger Lieberman, POB Board of Education Trustee Debbie Bernstein.