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UCPS and Carolinas HealthCare System partner for education

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The following is a press release from Union County Public Schools

Monroe, NC—Union County Public Schools (UCPS) and Carolinas HealthCare System (CHS) have announced a partnership to implement a healthcare and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) pathway for Monroe Middle School students. The Health Sciences Academy at Monroe Middle will offer rigorous coursework to prepare students for college and careers in the medical field. 

“I want to thank Mike Lutes, President of Carolinas HealthCare Union, and Carolinas HealthCare System for supporting UCPS in expanding academic options and resources for students,” said Superintendent Dr. Andrew Houlihan.” This partnership is the first step to opening new doors for students at Monroe Middle School. The resources that Carolinas HealthCare System will provide will transform teaching and learning at Monroe Middle.”

Through the partnership, Carolinas HealthCare System will provide a full-time STEM Specialist, who will be the liaison between the hospital and the school. The Specialist will develop curriculum, lead planning and training sessions for staff, and develop internships/externships and career-building activities for students.

“Carolinas HealthCare System is a nationally recognized healthcare leader, known for both clinical and operational excellence. As the field of healthcare continues to rapidly evolve, Carolinas HealthCare System Union is proud to be part of this program that will expose students to the healthcare care jobs of the future, including patient care and management opportunities.” Said Mike Lutes, President of Carolinas HealthCare System Union. “It felt very natural to extend our team’s passion for excellence in patient care to the educational setting.”

The new healthcare career pathway will begin with sixth graders in the fall of 2017. An integrated neuroscience/health science curriculum will be implemented into elective classes. In addition, all Monroe Middle students will take medical Spanish as a foreign language elective each year. This course will focus on healthcare vocabulary and prepare students for the ACT, PSAT and SAT.

In the second year, seventh graders will take courses on scientific approaches to problem solving and sports management/medicine. By the fall of 2019, eighth graders will learn bioengineering and health technologies.

During the month of May, Monroe Middle staff will hold meetings with incoming students and parents to discuss the new pathways.