Tomball Star Academy P-TECH Program Receives Grant for Healthcare Education Expansion
The Tomball Star Academy Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools (P-TECH) is a program designed to equip students with skills relevant to the ever-evolving healthcare industry. This program is a strategic partnership between Lone Star College-Tomball, Tomball ISD, and HCA Healthcare Tomball.
The Tomball Star Academy P-TECH program, which opened its doors in the fall of 2023, received an $86,000 grant from Educate Texas at the Communities Foundation of Texas. The grant is purposed for expanding course offerings at LSC-Tomball in the fall of 2024.
"This strategic alliance is designed to offer students an unparalleled experience and exposure, pivotal in the healthcare field, one of the most in-demand and viable industries today," revealed Katerina Wingfield, LSC-Tomball dean, Academic Affairs. In a break from regular high school programs, the students will have the chance to glean from healthcare professionals in leading-edge hospital and clinical facilities.
According to Wingfield, new course offerings will naturally expand existing programs, providing students with varied healthcare study tracks. These additional opportunities will impart extra qualifications enabling students to join a four-year university or directly step into the workforce.
The expansion planning grant will underpin LSC-Tomball in considering new pathway offerings like Health Information Technology, Medical Administrative Support, and Medical Administrative Services-Medical Front Desk. At the same time, students like Claire Murphy will benefit from guidance in choosing the most suitable career path.
"My experience in this program has been rewarding because it has equipped us with practical experience working with industry professionals," Murphy commented. "Undoubtedly, this program is inculcating discipline, time management, and communication skills – all crucial for success regardless of the career paths we choose."
Alongside the program's expansion, there are considerations of extending certificate programs beyond LSC-Tomball to other LSC campuses and local school systems that look forward to developing robust healthcare education pathways.
"We plan to extend existing clinical partnerships to encompass more hospitals and healthcare facilities," Wingfield expressed. "We foresee opportunities that may support the purchase of additional equipment for our skills labs and partner institutions like Tomball Star Academy."
Tomball Star Academy P-TECH, a four-year program, includes training in electrocardiography, medical terminology, phlebotomy, nurse aide, and medical law and ethics. As part of the program, students build relationships with experts in various healthcare fields at HCA Healthcare Tomball.
"Students get a first-hand experience of these sought-after careers," Wingfield remarked. "The P-TECH program guides them to discover their career fit while orienting them to the pace and expectations of the professional world."
Upon completion, graduates of this program receive a high school diploma, an associate of science degree, and industry certifications. Moreover, they qualify for entry-level positions and are given preference for job vacancies at HCA Healthcare Tomball.
To learn more about P-TECH, visit tsa.tomballisd.net/About-TSA/P-TECH.
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Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
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