Views from the Shore
The future of healthcare in our community may already be sitting in a classroom today, or, once a month, in a meeting room at Shore Medical Center.
That’s where I recently spent an evening with a group of local high school students participating in Shore’s Next Gen Med program, led by Director of Volunteers Lisa DiTroia. Lisa and I have worked together for more than 11 years on a variety of events and projects at Shore, and I’ve always admired her passion, not only for the hospital, but for volunteerism and mentoring people. Next Gen Med is a perfect example of both
The program brings high school students to Shore Medical Center once a month in the early evening to learn about the many careers available in healthcare. Some sessions highlight clinical roles, while others explore non-clinical careers that are equally important to the healthcare system.
“We wanted to offer something manageable for high school students,” Lisa explained. “With school, sports, and everything else they have going on, committing to a weekly volunteer shift can be difficult. Meeting once a month gives them exposure to healthcare careers without overwhelming their schedules.”
Each session features a guest speaker from the hospital, along with an interactive activity tied to that profession. Students have learned about emergency medicine by exploring the equipment carried in ambulances. They’ve tried intubating a mannequin during a respiratory therapy session. They’ve examined radiology images and learned about careers in MRI and CT imaging. Shore’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Galler, even spoke about his journey from surgeon to hospital leadership.
The goal, Lisa says, is to show students that healthcare is much broader than many people realize.
“Sometimes students think healthcare only means being a doctor or nurse,” she said. “But there are so many different careers. We want them to see all the possibilities.”
When it was my turn to speak, I talked about healthcare marketing and fundraising. As part of the session, students broke into small groups and developed mock advertising campaigns for a healthcare initiative.
What impressed me most was how seriously they took the exercise. The students were engaged, attentive, and full of creative ideas. Their discussions were thoughtful, and their campaign concepts ranged from clever visual themes to creative messaging strategies. Far from daydreaming teenagers forced there by their parents, these students were genuinely curious and eager to learn.
Lisa says that enthusiasm is exactly why the program exists.
“As a community hospital, part of our role is providing educational opportunities for the next generation,” she said. “We know we need future healthcare professionals, and why not inspire students right here in our community?”
In fact, she has already seen her programs come full circle. Over the years, students who first came through Shore’s volunteer programs in high school have returned as nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists, and other professionals.
Something about their early exposure to the hospital stuck with them.
If the students I met recently are any indication, the future of healthcare, and our community, is in very good hands.
Brian Cahill is the Director of Marketing for Shore Medical Center and Shore Physicians Group. He also volunteers on the Board of the Somers Point Business Association and is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business at Stockton University.
