The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

January 29, 2011

Mankato expanding health care curriculum

By Tanner Kent The Free Press

MANKATO — In a city with not one, but two, medical providers, connecting local high school students with careers in the medical industry takes on added importance.

According to data from the Department of Employment and Economic Development, employment in Minnesota hospitals is expected to rise 16 percent by 2014. Similarly, DEED predicts that four of Minnesota’s fastest growing occupations are in the health care industry.

Officials with Mankato Area Public Schools are aware of the need and, starting in the 2011-12 school year, will be expanding an already robust health science curriculum.

“We know the health care industry is one of the larger economic drivers in the area,” said Monde Schwartz, coordinator of career and technical education programs in Mankato schools.

“We not only want to help students learn career skills, but also learn how to apply those skills.”

And that means more rigor, more relevance and more real-world practicality in the district’s health science curriculum, which already includes an introductory class to health care-related careers, a course on diseases and disorders, and a program in which students can earn state certification as a nursing assistant.

Now, the district is implementing a Health Science Academy.

For the complete story, see the Jan. 30 Free Press or sign onto our e-edition.

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