A Legacy of Learning and Leading

Methodist’s partnership with Oak Ridge High School Health Science Academy continues to thrive

By linking established caregivers with students interested in healthcare, Methodist Medical Center plays an important role in Oak Ridge High School’s Health Science Academy, which is now entering its 18th year. The academy prepares interested ORHS students for future training in healthcare careers.

“We are so excited that we can continue this long and valued partnership,” said Jacque Alt, MBA, RN, Methodist’s Chief Nursing Officer. “This is a wonderful opportunity to expose students to a variety of healthcare careers and link them early on to MMC.  It clearly supports our mission and can play an important role in securing those successful students as MMCers once they complete their education and training.”

The ORHS Health Science Academy offer two career paths. Two capstone courses are offered. One is their long-standing Clinical Internship program, and the other is their newly offered Nursing Education.  Both programs prepare students for college studies to become physicians, dentists, medical assistants, registered nurses, pharmacists, imaging professionals, respiratory therapists, physical, speech or occupational therapists, and other professions including technical careers. Clinical Internship students meet for a full year and are able to receive their CCMA (medical assistant) before beginning their rotations at Methodist Medical Center in the Spring, while the Nursing Education students meet for one semester and are able to receive their CNA before their fall semester ends. Both of these capstone courses offer dual enrollment in Medical Terminology, which prepare the students for their future health careers.

Additional partners in the academy are Roane State Community College and Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology. Additionally, the Clinical Internship program partners with more than twenty health clinics in Oak Ridge, in addition to MMC’s departments. Through these partnerships, ORHS students earn college credits while gaining real world exposure to working in a hospital setting at Methodist.

After 18 years, the excitement and enthusiasm for the 2024 Oak Ridge High School Health Sciences Academy is just as strong as when it started in 2006.