Cultivating Future Caregivers: D’Youville's HCOP Summer Program

D'Youville University's Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) recently concluded its annual summer program offering a group of local high school students from rural and medically underserved communities an intensive look into the healthcare world. The program is designed to expose young people to a variety of careers in the health sciences through direct, hands-on experiences. 

Over the course of the program, students engaged in a wide range of activities. They participated in medical simulations, received dietary training, and shadowed professionals at local businesses like Vital Pharmacy and Thrive Rehab and Wellness. This exposure is meant to encourage students to pursue careers in healthcare and, in doing so, address the needs of their own communities. 

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Jennifer Giambra-Ort, the HCOP Project Coordinator, emphasized the program's broader mission. "D'Youville's HCOP program is more than just a pipeline to healthcare careers; it's a transformative journey for students from underserved communities," she said. "Our mission is to dismantle barriers and provide the academic, social, and professional support necessary for them to not only succeed but to become leaders in their fields. We're building a new generation of healthcare professionals who are culturally competent, community-focused, and ready to address the health disparities in our region and beyond.” 

Dr. Heather Ferro, the Associate Dean of the School of Health Professions, spoke about the program's specific impact on rural areas, drawing on her own background. “HCOP is a crucial program. I grew up in a rural community much like these students have," she explained. "If a program existed like this when I was their age, I believe that more teens from my community would have chosen careers in healthcare and may have returned to our small village or other rural communities to work and give back.” 

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The energy and enthusiasm of the students during the simulations were particularly notable to Dr. Ferro. “I was truly impressed by each student, and enjoyed engaging them in healthcare simulations to enhance their learning and have rich discussions with them following each experience to hear what they took away from each scenario we presented them with,” she said. 

Giambra-Ort shared a similar sense of optimism. "Watching our HCOP students this summer has been nothing short of inspiring," she said. "They've come in here with an incredible level of enthusiasm and dedication, all while building a tight-knit community with one another. These students aren't just here to check a box; they're here to truly understand the challenges and rewards of a career in healthcare. Their passion, resilience, and commitment to serving others gives me immense hope for the future of the medical field.” 

The feedback from the students themselves was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a wish to have extended their time at D’Youville by another day.