Healthcare Careers Academy
The future health of our community depends on preparing tomorrow's workforce. The Healthcare Careers Academy is a unique collaboration of Tacoma Public Schools, healthcare industry, higher education and nonprofits that prepares high school students for a wide-range of careers in the healthcare industry.
This four-year, part-time high school program is offered at Stadium and Mount Tahoma High Schools. Students engage in four years of specific pathway curriculum and experiences that enhance student learning and promote healthcare careers.
Ninth and tenth grade is dedicated to exploring passions, making connections to healthcare careers, and engaging in exploratory coursework that is both rigorous and experiential.
Students dive more deeply into career exploration and intense coursework in eleventh and twelfth grade, students receive hands-on experience in a chosen healthcare industry internship (NextMove internship). Students are supported by their industry mentor, a career internship coach, skilled teachers, and academic tutors throughout the program.
HCA Partnerships
The Tacoma Healthcare Careers Collaborative provides students with equitable access to world-class learning environments focused on medical careers. Partners from the region’s health care, educational and philanthropic communities work in concert to optimize resources and leverage assets to address community needs, including pathways and credentialing programs co-located within Tacoma’s Medical Mile.
Tacoma Healthcare Careers Collaborative Advisory Board
Lois Bernstein, Chief Community Executive, MultiCare Health System
Laurie Brown, RN, Chief Experience Officer, CHI Franciscan Health
Kathy Schmidt, Marketing Manager, CHI Francican Health
Dr. Mark Pagano, Chancellor, University of Washington Tacoma
Joshua Knudson, Vice Chancellor of Advancement, University of Washington Tacoma
Ivan Harrell, President, Tacoma Community College
Krista Fox, Dean, Health, Business and Professional Services, Tacoma Community College
Dr. Lin Zhou, President, Bates Technical College
Lori Keller, Campus Dean for Allied Health & Career Training, Bates Technical Collage
Isiaah Crawford, President, Univeristy of Puget Sound
John Hickey, Executive Director of Community Engagement, University of Puget Sound
Lori Fort-Harnick, President and CEO, Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainier Region
Eu-Wanda Eagans, Senior Vice-Preisdent, Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainier Region
Dr. Kathi Littman, CEO and President, Greater Tacoma Community Foundation
Carla Santorno, Superintendent, Tacoma Public Schools
Dr. Josh Garcia, Deputy Superintendent, Tacoma Public Schools
Toni Pace, Assistant Superintendent, Tacoma Public Schools
John Page, Director of Career and Technical Education, Tacoma Public Schools
HCA Become a Volunteer
Are you a healthcare professional or studying to be one? Would you like to help shape the next generation of healthcare workers?
We are looking for those in the healthcare profession to be part of our Healthcare Careers Academy. Currently we need guest speakers and field trip opportunities. This is a great way to share about your profession and students should consider it.