Western New Mexico University professor, Dr. Jeff Hill directs students through a lab on brain dissection at last year’s summer academy.Silver City, NM – Teens interested in a health care career have an incredible new opportunity this summer from FORWARD New Mexico (FORWARD NM). The Teen Academy for Health Sciences (TAHS) is now accepting applications from New Mexico high school students.
The summer academy is a three-week non-residential program scheduled from June 6 to June 27, 2018 and will be held at the Silver City campus of Western New Mexico University. The academy is free for participants, but due to available space participants must apply by Friday, May 4, 2018. This year's academy is a hybrid of FORWARD NM's previous academies, Summer Math and Science Health Career Academy (SMASH) and Health Careers Academy (HCA).
TAHS coordinator, Baudelia "Bala" Salgado discussed the revamped academy, "The academy will cover math and other portions of the American College Testing, but by focusing on the one area of physical science, students are eligible for four dual-enrollment credits through WNMU."
To be eligible to graduate, New Mexico Public Education Department requires high school students have at least one course in honors, advanced placement, dual credit or distance learning. TAHS fulfills this graduation requirement.
The Academy includes a tour of WNMU Nursing Simulation Laboratory, a trip to the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine in Las Cruces, and features exploration of career opportunities in health science. Participants also receive preparation for the American College Testing section on science.
According to Salgado, the academy application process has been simplified and is available online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/summeracademy18. Applicants must be a resident of New Mexico, be interested in pursuing a health career, have a minimum Grade Point Average of 2.5 and be a high school student as of August 2018.
Salgado added, "Every year I see teens come into the academies with no idea what their future holds, and they leave with a better idea of the opportunities available to them. Through their participation in the academy, college becomes a reality for them."
TAHS is a project of the FORWARD NM, which is a health care workforce development program of the Southwest Center for Health Innovation.
For more information on the Teen Academy for Health Sciences contact Salgado at (575) 597-0030 or email: bsalgado@swchi.org. The academy's application is available online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/summeracademy18.
About FORWARD NM (GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION)
FORWARD NM seeks to enhance access to quality health care, particularly primary and preventative care, by improving the supply and distribution of healthcare professionals through community and academic partnerships. To accomplish its mission, FORWARD NM sponsors Dream Makers Clubs at regional middle schools so students can the experience the diversity of careers in the medical field. Dream Makers participate in hands-on labs, visit with health care professionals, tour local health care facilities.
FORWARD NM, in collaboration with other local partners, sponsors summer academies to support the success of high school and college students pursuing careers in health care. Additionally, FORWARD NM coordinates undergraduate and graduate medical students' summer residencies and internships in the southwest New Mexico. For more information, visit swchi.org/forward-nm/.
About the Southwest Center for Health Innovation (GENERAL ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION)
The Southwest Center for Health Innovation (CHI) is a nonprofit focused on bettering community health in underserved and underrepresented populations. CHI empowers groups and individuals at a local, state and national level to determine the future wellbeing of their communities through the development and implementation of innovative policies, strategies and evidence-based models. Founded in 2015, CHI is headquartered in Silver City, with additional offices located throughout New Mexico. For more information, visit www.swchi.org