The Academy helps to prepare students for college and it provides courses that expose students to real life situations and experiences as a health profession. Students are given the opportunity to take courses to advance their skills in the medical field: Introduction to Medicine, Advanced Medicine, and Medical Trends.

In the course, Advanced Medicine, students are required to fully understand and be able to perform given procedures that are written out step by step. They are expected to practice performing the given task until they can be done to perfection. These tasks include activities such as: putting on sterile glove, making a hospital bed, transferring patients, operating an EKG, checking patient's vitals, as well as ambulating a patient.

Students are also given the chance to learn CPR, shadow medical professional, and intern at various locations, Sutter, Kaiser, and Mercy, during their last two years of high school.

My Experience:

Thanks to the Health Academy I got the opportunity to gain 200 plus hours volunteering at Sutter Rehabilitation Institute. I volunteered from June 4th to July 12th, 2018 and again during the spring semester of my senior year.

Therapy at Sutter Rehabilitation Institute, SRI, is typically provided for those who have had a stroke, a brain injury, an amputation or need spinal cord care. SRI medical staff worked hard to demonstrated comprehensive care for all patients. The time spent interning at Sutter Health was valuable and the employees I worked with in rehabilitation each day were supportive, helpful and always made me feel like I was a part of the team. I got the chance to work in various areas like speech, occupational and physical therapy. I was astonished with the way each area cooperated to assist patients throughout their rehabilitation journey.

At Oakmont High School I took the course Child Development from February to May of 2019 and worked as an assistant teacher. I collaborated with classmates, developed age-appropriate activities, and wrote lesson plans to teach and guide 16 children.

Volleyball has been a part of my life since I was in 7th grade. It has taught me the importance of collaboratively working with others and communication skills. I have demonstrated consistency and the ability to time manage by balancing sports with my academics throughout high school.

During 2017 and 2018 I got the opportunity to be a team captain for an Ignite volleyball team. As a leader, I set a good example for my team by succeeding in balancing home life, school, and sports. This leadership experience allowed me to positively influence others and my enthusiasm for volleyball has only grown since then.

Not only did I play volleyball from 7th grade until my senior year, but I have continued to make volleyball a constant in my life. I often help out at Ignite Volleyball Club where I can teach young boys and girls basic volleyball skills; I've assisted at past and recent clinics, tryouts, and practices. I plan to continue helping out at Ignite and I also hope to carry this passion to Dominican by participating in recreational volleyball.