Health Sciences students train to become CPR certified.

  • What the current Health Sciences cohort wants prospective students to know:

    "I’m looking forward to wherever life may take me, and I am beyond grateful for the OTA health science program for supporting and encouraging me to strive for greatness and live up to my full potential.”

    “This experience teaches you a lot about the medical field. Expect to gain new opportunities, experiences, and connections to start your future in health care.”

    “Don’t be afraid to try something different!”

    “Be prepared to be treated as a medical professional, not as a kid. The expectations and standards at Providence are REAL!”

    “Be ready to work on your communication skills.” 

    “Have fun! Enjoy the experience! Be open-minded! Ask questions!”

    "I volunteered a little over 90 hours as a patient transport volunteer, and found that I flourished in the medical environment. Patient transport was a great start of my journey, and I enjoyed being able to connect with patients and employees throughout the hospital. I have decided to continue in a paid patient transport position at Sacred Heart to further my knowledge and experience. This is the best opportunity for me to grow and learn more about different departments of the hospital, as well as possible career paths. I’m looking forward to wherever life may take me, and I am beyond grateful for the OTA health science program for supporting and encouraging me to strive for greatness and live up to my full potential.”

    -Audrey Dale (Health Sciences Alumna)

     
Two Health Sciences students check out what's under the microscope that day.

Community Responses

  •  "We appreciate the opportunity to support them along their career and education journey."

    “On Track Academy’s Health Sciences Academy has been such a remarkable opportunity for Providence to observe these students' growth in their competencies and confidence over the past several months. We appreciate the opportunity to connect students to the many opportunities within health care and support them along their career and education journey.”

    -Meg Lindsay

    WA/MT HR Workforce Development Program Manager, Providence

     

    "This interaction [with the Gaming Tech volunteer] was key to [the patient] being more active and engaged in his treatment and wellbeing.”

    "We had a teen patient who was unmotivated to get out of bed, complete his ADL’s (Daily Hygiene) or work with our PT/ OT specialists. This young teen met our Gaming tech volunteer and decided to play some video games. The next day he was asking for our volunteer, and we scheduled a time for our volunteer to work (play) with him the next time the volunteer was available. The next visit our volunteer encouraged him to go to the teen lounge to play the Nintendo switch and PlayStation. This motivated our patient to get dressed, clean himself up, walk to the teen lounge and socialize with someone other than his guardian, doctor, nurse, or other specialist. This interaction was key to him being more active and engaged in his treatment and wellbeing. The Gaming Tech brought great excitement and entertainment to Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital Pediatric patients of all ages and abilities."

    -Tony Schuh 

    Family Resource Coordinator, Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital

     

    "Xavier not only helped Harley by lifting his spirits, but he gave me peace of mind...We are forever grateful for Xavier and his time of volunteering at the children’s hospital."

    "My 11 year old son Harley was diagnosed with epilepsy last spring and was admitted for clusters of dangerous seizures to Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. Harley loves to be active with school & sports, so sitting in a hospital bed for several days was very difficult for him. On day four of our hospital stay, we met Xavier. He came in and immediately connected with Harley. Xavier was very kind, patient and accommodating to Harley. I immediately noticed a change in Harley, who was smiling, cheerful and happy. Xavier not only helped Harley by lifting his spirits, but he gave me peace of mind. Xavier was so wonderful with Harley that I felt comfortable enough to go down to the cafeteria to get some work done that I had been struggling to do in the busy hospital room. We are forever grateful for Xavier and his time of volunteering at the children’s hospital."

    -Chelsey

    Parent of a patient

     
Kiyaa wears her scrubs and Providence badge.

Cohort Spotlight: Kiyaa White

  • Senior Kiyaa White is in the current On Track Academy Health Sciences cohort. Through the program, she became a Providence employee in the patient transport department at Sacred Heart Medical Center! As a patient transportation specialist, Kiyaa interacts and works with doctors and nurses, CNAs, CT techs, EMTs, and firefighters. Through this position, she says she’s learned to use her time more effectively, to work with a variety of people, and how to generally understand humans better. Next up, Kiyaa is graduating from On Track Academy and starting the two-year Registered Nursing (RN) program at Spokane Falls Community College. Her long-term goal is to become a flight nurse! Through the Health Sciences program, Kiyaa realizes she has gained confidence and, beyond that, her counselor said, “she’s proven she can take care of herself.” Kiyaa’s piece of advice for anyone interested in the OTA Health Sciences program is to “'Be the change you want to see' and join the next cohort!”
Student streaks a dish in lab.