An innovative partnership between TMC Health and Cochise Technology District is giving rural high school students a clear path to careers in healthcare.

Through this partnership, high school seniors in the Cochise Technology District’s Patient Care Technician program learn using Tucson Medical Center’s curriculum. TMC Health then offers clinical sites where students can complete their required hours, and upon finishing the program, provides opportunities to work at its facilities – including Benson Hospital, Northern Cochise Community Hospital and Tucson Medical Center. To date, two cohorts have completed the program, and a third is currently underway.

Recently, Northern Cochise Community Hospital hosted 20 students – 19 from Benson and 1 from Willcox – for a day of hands-on training.

“This is the first year we have collaborated with NCCH for a dedicated PCT skills day,” said Lila Tenniswood, PCT instructor and Emergency Department nurse at NCCH. “NCCH has consistently shown strong support for future healthcare programs involving high school students. In the past, they have hosted student field trips, allowed students to participate as actors in HERT trainings and hosted student-led blood drives twice a year.”

The goal of the program is to provide students with a strong steppingstone toward their future careers or to prepare them for immediate employment after high school. So far, the program has been a success. Six are working at NCCH and one at Benson Hospital.

“Overall, this has been an amazing program,” Tenniswood said. “It gives students from a small rural community the opportunity to see the wide range of possibilities available in healthcare…My favorite part is teaching these students for two years in high school, guiding them through clinical experiences and eventually working alongside them as coworkers at NCCH. I love witnessing their continued growth in a clinical setting.”

Tenniswood continues to mentor students when they become coworkers, which creates a trusting relationship for continued learnings.

“It is also rewarding to see many of them continue their education,” she said. “As most are now enrolled in nursing-related programs.”