BMH’s PATH program recognizes first cohort of high school graduates

From staff reports

For 13 high school seniors across Beaufort County, Beaufort Memorial was the first step toward a career in healthcare, as the first-ever high school cohort graduated from the hospital’s PATH career development program on May 13.

In January, Beaufort Memorial and the Beaufort County School District (BCSD) partnered to offer an opportunity for high school seniors countywide who are enrolled in a Health Sciences completer program to participate in the hospital’s PATH program (People Achieving Their Highest) tuition-free.

Graduating seniors at the May 13 ceremony included:

Patient Care Technicians (PCT)

Rihanna Cooler

Alani Crawford

Ja’Miah Fields

Luciana Garcia-Figueroa

Kalia Jenkins

Evelin Leija

Clinical Medical Assistants (CMA)

Kayla Arias

Jasmyn Charles

Adeline Gibbons

Kayla Jones

Aysha Perez

Jasmyn Reames

Abigail Reynolds

“I hope, whether you are here for the summer and going on to school or whether you’re ready to start your career in healthcare, you trust Beaufort Memorial and serve your community,” said Beaufort Memorial President and CEO Russell Baxley. “I can’t think of anything more special. This community is special, this hospital is special, and this school district is special.”

Frank Rodriguez, Beaufort County School District Superintendent, emphasized the impact of the partnership between the two organizations.

“When organizations come together to innovate, you can create some really great opportunities, and I think for our students, this is an innovation that will yield tremendous results – not only for the community, the hospital and the school district, but most importantly, for you, the graduates,” he said, addressing the 13 teens.

Students with perfect attendance were recognized at the ceremony, as well as five students who have accepted positions at Beaufort Memorial and will be joining the staff following their high school graduations. Alani Crawford, a senior at Whale Branch Early College High School, will be working as a patient care technician on the hospital’s third floor.

“I’m very excited, and I’m proud of myself,” Crawford said. “I worked really hard this semester, and I’ve learned a lot and I’m getting rewarded for it.”

For these five students, Beaufort Memorial will be an integral part of their career journey right out of high school. Other students are planning to attend college and pursue that pathway to a career in the medical field.

Beaufort Memorial Chief Nursing Officer Karen Carroll, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, said that no matter the students’ next chapter, Beaufort Memorial is honored to be a part of their journey.

“The only person who can stop you from achieving your goals is you. You can be a great asset to this organization, to wherever you go to school,” she told the graduates. “We are happy to help you on your journey and give you that starting point.”