The Summer Health Careers Institute, a summer program designed to introduce high school students to careers in healthcare, has continued since 1979 and now, 25 years later, the SLVAHEC has undertaken a follow-up survey of the program’s participants. This survey, From High School to Health Careers, was funded by the Colorado AHEC System Office and the Uni­versity of Colorado Denver Health Sciences Center School of Medicine.

Some of the more significant findings of the survey are:

• 243 individuals were in the original participant pool
• 182 participants were contacted
• 135 of those contacted completed the survey
• Of the 135 completed surveys, 44% of the former Summer Health Careers Institute participants are currently in a healthcare-related occupation.

It is no wonder that the program continues today under the title of “Grow Your Own” Summer Health Careers Institute/Student Health Careers Guild, as we

en­deavor to grow our own health care professionals who will come home and help care for the residents of the beautiful San Luis Valley!

General Survey Conclusion

The following statements of “From High School to Health Careers” follow up survey are based on:

1) A period of twenty five (25) years of high school student participation in the San Luis Valley Area Health Education Center (SLVAHEC) administered Summer Health Careers Institute (1982 to 2007), 

2) This survey was not administered through generally accepted scientifically-based research study practices but rather through a telephone survey questionnaire and a simplified sum of survey responses,

3) a target of 243 students were identified for the survey,

4) 182 participants were contacted through the survey and 5) 135 participants completed the survey. These statements, then, are based on the 135 completed participant surveys. 

•The Summer Health Careers Institute does have a significant and measurable impact on high school students pursuing a health career.

•100% of the high school students (who were surveyed) and who were participants in the Summer Health Careers Institute graduated from High Schools.

•71% of all surveyed Summer Health Careers participants attended some type of post-secondary education and/or training.

•61% of the Summer Health Careers Institute participants who currently are employed in the health care workforce had family members who were also employed in the health care workforce.

•44% of the surveyed Summer Health Careers Institute participants are currently employed in a health care occupation. 

Survey Publication - December 2008
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