Bronson Battle Creek had the pleasure of hosting Battle Creek Central High School's inaugural Teacher Externship

On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, Bronson Battle Creek had the pleasure of hosting Battle Creek Central High School's inaugural Teacher Externship. The day began with a warm welcome from our Chief Nursing Officer, Steve Polega, before the interdisciplinary group set off on an insightful tour of our Inpatient Radiology, Rehabilitation Services, Food Service, Cancer Center, and Supply Chain Management units.

Throughout the tour, the halls echoed with shouts of "Go Bearcats!" from employees who proudly identified themselves as BCCHS alumni. Teachers were delighted to be recognized and praised by former students, creating a sense of community and pride.

Our guests then shadowed professionals in Rehabilitation, Biomedical Engineering, Patient Safety and Quality, the Cancer Center, and the Lab. They also had the privilege of meeting our new Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ghasham, and engaging in a deep, informative discussion with a panel of exceptional nursing leaders. Topics included insights into the school's career academies, BCCHS' state-of-the-art nursing simulation lab, and the varied specialties and educational backgrounds of our nursing leaders. The panel also highlighted ongoing process improvement projects and shared valuable advice for teachers to pass on to their students. Several of our nursing leaders mentioned getting as much exposure in the field as possible to build connections and explore the wide variety of career pathways available in healthcare.

BCCHS Teachers plan to use this opportunity to teach their respective subjects ranging from History to Physical Sciences through a healthcare lens. They have invited Bronson staff to a curriculum planning meeting later this summer and hope to collaborate with departments and units to co-teach lessons in the upcoming school year.

This event not only strengthened the bond between Bronson Battle Creek and BCCHS but also laid the groundwork for future collaborations that will enrich the educational experience for students and teachers alike. We humbly thank everyone who helped make this event successful and look forward to partnering with high school students and faculty in the future.