EDUCATION
UNPRECEDENTED
OPPORTUNITY
eenagers shadowing physicians,
program is free to qualified students and
interacting with nurses, and learn-
includes transportation.
ing the ropes everywhere from the
According to its administrators, the
Emergency Room to the Administrative
unique program is a win-win for all par-
Suite, and more. It’s all part of a nor-
ticipants. For Chilton Medical Center,
mal day for students within the ‘Morris
“We feel this program aligns perfectly
County Allied Health Medical Institute,’
with our values and culture of continuous
a unique new learning partnership that’s
learning,” shared Dr. Maureen Schneider,
providing high school juniors and seniors
PhD, MBA, RN, FACHE, Chief Nursing
in Morris County, NJ with unprecedented
and Operations Officer of Chilton
opportunities to explore and expand their
Medical Center.
studies within the medical professions
According to Dr. Winning, the pro-
and get a head start on a successful career
gram met the needs of Pequannock
in healthcare.
Township School District as well. “We’re
Officially launched in September
honored to work with Chilton Medical
2018, the Medical Institute is a partner-
Center, and their willingness to let our
Top: Students from the Allied Health
ship between the Pequannock Township
kids in shines a different light on the
Medical Institute meet with Chilton Medical
School District, Atlantic Health System
role that hospitals and schools can play
Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains, Center President, Stephanie Schwartz.
as partners in a learning community,”
Bottom: Students observe physicians and
and Morris County Vocational School
Winning said.
nurses to receive real-life clinical experience.
District.
The students also see value in the
“The high school level is where you want
program.
to begin exposing students to the wide range of health care oppor-
“It is a great eye-opener for kids who want to go into the
tunities available to them,” explained Stephanie Schwartz, President
medical field,” agreed Parsippany-based junior Madhav Barot. “In
of Chilton Medical Center, which has opened its doors to nearly 40
school, our knowledge of the profession is often limited to just
students from high schools throughout Morris County.
doctors or nurses, but we’ve seen that there are so many other
By all measures, the curriculum is rigorous, said Dr. Rosalie
roles in a hospital, from patient care techs (PCTs) and IT special-
Winning, Assistant Superintendent, Pequannock Township
ists to phlebotomists and more.”
School District. “Students spend time in the classroom learn-
Overall, Schwartz believes the program truly connects the
ing everything from medical terminology, anatomy and more,
hospital to its community and takes education to the next level.
and then rotate through various departments at Chilton Medical
“This is a beneficial program that we hope will continue to grow,”
Center to get real-life clinical experience,” said Dr. Winning,
she said. “Having the students on campus has been a rewarding
“Participating students can earn 18 credits at Rutgers University
experience. If we can help change one student’s perspective on a
(or transferable to another school),” she added. The 1000-hour
career, then we’ve done our part.”
SPRING 2019 CHILTON MAGAZINE
T
A groundbreaking new “learning partnership” offers
Morris County high school students unique exposure to the medical professions