Innovative Web App Will Promote Health Careers to Middle and High School Students
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Funded through the Office of Vice Chancellor for Innovation, the Community Health Advocacy initiative is a partnership between UIC and the Jump Simulation & Education Center at OSF HealthCare that brings together faculty researchers and health care professionals to develop innovative solutions to health-related problems in an urban community. A recently funded project aimed to develop a web app for middle school and high school students to explore health careers. Dr. Hana Hinkle, Assistant Dean for Rural Health Professions and Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford campus, is co-pi with Noël Adams, Vice President of Academic Collaborations and Operations at OSF HealthCare on the funded project titled, Advancing Innovations in Health Professions Pipeline Education.
Noting that today’s young people get their information primarily through online and mobile apps, the project’s goal is to reach their target audience via a platform familiar to them. The app uses an algorithm based on identified preferences as students explore opportunities for a future in the health professions. By accessing the app, these young students learn about the types of skills, length and cost of education, and potential earnings for a chosen health-related career.
Researchers have sought additional CHA grant funding for phase two which would focus on adding more careers to the app and tapping into existing regional networks to provide direct mentorship, coaching and support to identified students.
This innovative approach to guiding young people into the healthcare professions is emblematic of the high priority placed on collaborations between UIC and partners such as OSF HealthCare to achieve meaningful advances in our ever-changing technological environment.