June 18, 2019 – Fargo, N.D. – High school students from Carrington, Rolla, Hebron, Wheaton, Alexandria, Aberdeen, Barnesville, Hankinson and many more towns in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota are using their summer to find their potential in pursuing health care professions. The camp at NDSU’s College of Health Professions and Sanford Health introduces high school students from rural areas to jobs in health care.

The Health Occupations and Professions Exploration (HOPE) program gives students a behind-the-scenes view of health professions—from seeing imaging suites to cancer treatment areas, cardiac care and much more.

Students explore career options through interactive workshops, learning from professionals and college instructors, while also having the chance to experience campus life.

HOPE Camp provides students with on-the-job views of numerous health professions in the areas of nursing, pharmacy, radiation therapy, pathology, medical lab science, paramedics, radiographers, respiratory care, neonatal intensive care, and much more.

This summer, 20 high school students from North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota are participating in the popular program.

Camp days begin with learning about health career programs. Students then visit health care facilities in the late afternoon and early evening hours so as not to disrupt patterns of patient care. They visit locations such as Sanford AirMed, Roger Maris Cancer Center, and Sanford Children’s Hospital, among others.

“Our partners in health care in the area make this program possible,” said Dana Davis, director of outreach and community engagement in the College of Health Professions at NDSU. “Our goal is to show students from the region the career and educational opportunities they can pursue in much needed health professions.”

“Our goal is to get kids excited about careers in healthcare. We open their minds to the possibilities by giving them a hands-on look at many different careers. Hopefully, it helps them decide if the medical field is right for them,” said Susie Munyer, Sanford Career Development.

High school students also learn about health education options—from certificate programs to doctoral degrees.

Students in NDSU’s College of Health Professions programs serve as chaperones and mentors to high school students attending the camp, sharing their college experience as they work toward careers in health care.

HOPE Camp is made possible by a Walgreens Diversity Program grant and Sanford Health.