Silver City, NM: Area teens and college students intending on pursuing careers in health care can benefit from the summer academies being offered by FORWARD NM. Currently opportunities open to sign up for Summer Math and Science Healthcare (SMASH) and Health Careers Academy (HCA). Application deadlines have been extended at both academies, which are free and hosted at WNMU in Silver City.

FORWARD NM Director Miriam Kellerman says, "The summer academies are an excellent opportunity for students to strengthen their knowledge about the health care field through fun and practical activities. It is also a resume builder and puts them ahead of their competition when applying for college."

Each academy is tailored to a specific age group, SMASH is intended for incoming high school freshmen, and HCA is for incoming sophomores through seniors. Each of these academies offers another step on the pathway to a successful career in health care.

The Summer Math and Science Healthcare (SMASH) Academy immerses high school freshmen in the different aspect of health care careers. The week-long academy tours local health care facilities, allows students to participate in fun science lab experiments and learn the basics of CPR and First Aid.

To sign up please go to the following links for each academy. WNMU personnel will be ready to answer your questions and to help you complete out your application.

• SMASH: June 5 through June 9, 2017 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• HCA: June 18 through July 21, 2017 and is all day.

HCA offers high school sophomores, juniors and seniors a chance to hone their skills in preparation for college. The five-week academy includes tours of medical facilities, presentations by leaders in health care, team building and outdoor activities.

HCA participants can brush up on their skills for college placement tests like the American College Testing (ACT). Last year, participants raised their ACT practice test score on average of 28 percent. Participants also earn college credits through dual enrollment in Western New Mexico University (WNMU).

This year, the summer academies are sponsored in part by the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, HMS, Gila Regional Medical Center, the Southwest Center for Health innovation (SWCHI) and WNMU.
FORWARD NM is a program of SWCHI.
For more information contact FORWARD NM/Miriam Kellerman at (575) 597-0036 or email: mkellerman@swchi.org. For more information on FORWARD NM visit http://www.swchi.org/FORWARD-nm.