Johnston, SC – Seated together at the intersection of education, technology and workforce development, representatives from Strom Thurmond High School (STHS) and Self Regional Healthcare signed an innovative, long-term partnership on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, that promises to join STHS student career aspirations and community workforce needs hand in hand.
The new agreement announces Self Regional Healthcare’s commitment to take the lead as the new title sponsor and community partner of Strom Thurmond High School’s Human Services and Business Academy – one for the school’s three new learning academies, including the STEAM Academy and Freshman Academy. The new academy will now be recognized as the Self Regional Healthcare Human Services and Business Academy.
The heart of the partnership lies in the innovative career academy model, an educational approach integrating rigorous academic coursework with real-world industry exposure. The model strives to equip Strom Thurmond High School students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to graduate both college and career ready.
“We are thrilled to embark on this collaborative journey that promises to enrich the educational experience of our students here at Strom Thurmond High School,” stated Strom Thurmond High School Career Academy Specialist, Nate Horton. “Working closely with Self Regional Healthcare, our students will benefit from direct access to industry professionals, cutting edge technologies and relevant workplace experiences. Together, we are committed to fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration and excellence, where Strom Thurmond High School students can reveal their full potential and emerge as the leaders and innovators of tomorrow.”
THE INTERSECTION OF EDUCATION, TECHNOLOGY AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Edgefield County Public School District Superintendent, Dr. Kevin O’Gorman, expressed his joy and optimism to a number of STHS students who attended the partner recognition ceremony.
“Health science is a big need in our community. We thank Self Regional Healthcare for joining us on this journey as our very first business partner of our Career Academy Model at Strom Thurmond,” stated Dr. O’Gorman. “By bringing in business partners that help our teachers and students learn academic content in tandem with career skills that interest our students – it will provide a more meaningful and relevant high school experience for our students.”
Strom Thurmond High School Principal, Fran Altringer, says partnerships like the one commemorated in Wednesday’s signing help answer an age-old question posed by students to teachers since the very beginning of formalized education.
“I believe I have the answer to the question that everyone has been asking, which has been, Mrs. Altringer, why do we have to learn this?” asked Altringer. “Or, when will we ever need this? Well, what we are doing here today is the ‘this’ of why we’re doing all of this. Our partnership with Self Regional Healthcare will help to answer those questions for our students and for our teachers as well. Sometimes, as a math teacher I had a very good answer to those questions and other times I would be at a loss. There are technologies and occupations, and experiences we as educators may not even know about. This partnership, along with our career center teachers, will help to broaden our horizons for our students and for the adults in our buildings as well. Once our students graduate, we want them to have a direction, a plan, a path and the skills and experiences to help carry them into life. We appreciate the bravery and vision of Self Regional Healthcare in joining us in this partnership. We’re committed to Self Regional Healthcare, Self Regional Healthcare is committed to us, and we’re all committed to you, our students.”
A CHANGING WORKFORCE LANDSCAPE REQUIRES INNOVATION, COLLABORATION
Self Regional Healthcare Assistant Vice President, Sherri Gordon, represented the healthcare organization at the partnership signing and she feels the future is extremely bright when industry professionals and educators and students work together for a better tomorrow.
“I would first like to extend my gratitude to the administration and faculty of Strom Thurmond High School for their vision and dedication to fostering educational excellence,” stated Gordon. “The academy model here at Strom Thurmond High School is something that’s truly unique. Thank you for your commitment to your students and recognizing the importance of real world experiences in shaping their futures.”
“Healthcare is rapidly changing,” she added. “We just came out of a pretty big pandemic, but we’re also facing a very aging population, and this is going to really increase the demand for healthcare professionals. Technology is also evolving, and interestingly enough, technology in healthcare actually requires more people and not less. I think the healthcare fields are wide open. Something I tell people all the time is that healthcare is not just a vocation, it’s a calling. It has to be something you feel drawn to and something you enjoy. Fortunately for you, as students, It’s a field that is extremely diverse and there are all kinds of places where you can find that joy.”
Self Regional Healthcare is an independent not-for-profit, regional referral hospital that provides care to 300,000 residents of Greenwood, Abbeville, Laurens, Saluda, McCormick, Edgefield and Newberry counties. The health system’s services include acute care and tertiary care, cancer care, neurosurgery, heart and vascular surgery, NICU, orthopedics, genetics, and prevention and wellness services. Self Medical Group is Self Regional’s employed physician affiliate network of 25 primary and specialty care practices and more than 75 physicians. The 450-bed hospital is located in the city of Greenwood.
“We need doctors and nurses, but we also need radiation therapists, we need perfusionists, we need nuclear medicine techs and people in surgical technology,” commented Gordon. “These fields are out there and so very often people are not even aware they exist. What we’re hoping with this partnership is you will begin to see some of these things firsthand.”
A DIRECT IMPACT ON STUDENT LEARNING, COMMUNITY WELL-BEING
Strom Thurmond High School health science student, Sophie Simpkins, says the new partnership will open many doors for herself and others.
“What truly sets our program apart is our new partnership with Self Regional Healthcare,” stated Sophie. “It’s a partnership built on a shared commitment to improving the health and well-being of our community. Our students will also have access to real-world learning opportunities, cutting-edge research facilities and seasoned healthcare professionals.”
“Perhaps the greatest benefit of our partnership is the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of our community,” Sophie added. “Together, we are not just training new healthcare professionals, but we are shaping the future of healthcare, driving positive change, and improving outcomes for patients and families across our region.”
Strom Thurmond High School health science student, Mary Grace Fallaw, says the health science program has the potential to provide an even greater positive impact in the community.
“I am filled with hope and excitement for what the future holds,” commented Mary Grace. “In our new partnership with Self Regional Healthcare, we will have the power to transform lives, elevate healthcare and create a healthier and brighter future for all.”
