Inspiring the Next Generation: WGH Welcomes Students for the Homegrown Workforce Initiative

Students welcome a brand new addition who was just recently born in the Warren General Hospital maternity department.

Warren General Hospital recently opened its doors — and its hallways, labs, and even the maternity unit — to around 300 enthusiastic 10th and 11th-grade students as part of the first-ever Homegrown Workforce Initiative. The event, a partnership between WGH, the Warren County School District, and the Community Foundation of Warren County, gave students from Warren Area High School and Eisenhower High School an inside look at what healthcare careers are really like.

Throughout the day, students explored departments across the entire hospital. From the fast-paced energy of the Emergency Department to the hands-on work of RehabWorks, from the detailed focus of respiratory therapy and the lab to the precision of pharmacy services — students saw just how many people and skills keep a hospital running smoothly. One particularly memorable stop? The maternity unit, where students were able to see a newborn baby, a definite highlight for many!

A student from Eisenhower High School has an opportunity to view blood cells up close with the director of the lab after discussing her interest in this field.

At each location, WGH staff explained what their jobs entail, the training required, and why their role matters in caring for our community. Students were encouraged to ask questions, explore possibilities, and picture themselves in roles they may have never considered before.

“The next generation of healthcare workers is sitting in classrooms across Warren County. As a community-focused hospital, it’s our duty and responsibility to introduce our youth to the amazing career opportunities available in the healthcare field. Through this initiative, we will ensure that our students find a rewarding career that they love. Then, in collaboration with the Community Foundation of Warren Co., we will assist with any required training and education needed in exchange for a commitment to work within Warren Co. after coursework is complete. This will enable Warren General Hospital and other healthcare entities within Warren Co. to have a continuous pipeline of homegrown healthcare workers for generations to come,” said Chief Executive Officer Dan Grolemund. “It can be so rewarding.”

This kickoff event is just the beginning. The Homegrown Workforce Initiative will continue to grow with future speaker series, job-shadowing opportunities, and the potential to include more grade levels in the coming years.

Kerstin Wyman, Director of Marketing and Communications at WGH, shared her excitement about the day’s success.

“This opportunity gave students a chance to see and experience things hands-on that they may have never realized existed in health care and I think we did give a few of them that a-ha moment,” she said.

Students had a chance to experience some of the non-traditional settings required for operation within the hospital and learn about career potential in these areas.

And those “a-ha” moments were easy to spot.

Tenth-grader Alyssa Goss from WAHS, who has her sights set on radiation oncology, said:

“I would really like to learn more about the Cancer Care Center or maybe shadow there at some point.”

“Connecting our students to real-world opportunities is the most vital part of career counseling,” said Carrie Warner, WCSD Career Counselor and initiative coordinator. “This collaboration with Warren General Hospital creates a clear pathway from our classrooms to meaningful local employment. We are excited to see this partnership grow into shadowing experiences and an on-campus speaker series after the initial tours.”

The director of respiratory care talks to students about career potential in health care areas and explains clinical areas, such as his, don’t always require a traditional college education and still offer a very rewarding career.

WGH will continue working alongside the Community Foundation of Warren County to support students who want to build their future right here at home, offering guidance, education assistance, and pathways into local careers.

The future of healthcare is growing right in our community — and after this exciting first step, it’s safe to say it looks bright.

For more information, visit wgh.org/wcsdshadowing.