high school students

Fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals

Hale County Hospital recognizes the importance of supporting local youth and inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals. We are committed to providing hands-on, immersive learning opportunities that allow students to explore careers in medicine, develop essential skills, and gain real-world experience in a hospital setting.

We began this journey in August 2024 with a vision to educate and empower young minds within our community. Since then, our commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for local students has continued to grow. What started as a single educational initiative has evolved into a dynamic and expanding pathway program designed to benefit both students and the community we proudly serve.

C.L.I.M.B. ACADEMY

(Community Leaders in Medicine & Beyond)

In August 2025, Hale County Hospital proudly launched CLIMB Academy (Community Leaders in Medicine and Beyond), the next evolution of our commitment to developing future healthcare leaders. Modeled after Hale County Hospital’s and Horseshoe Farm’s Fellowship programs and previous educational opportunities, C.L.I.M.B. Academy mentors a select group of outstanding local high school students several days per week in relationship-focused experiential learning, community health, and volunteer service activities.

What do Students Do?

  • Work as teams and participate in 2-3 longitudinal projects that allow students to provide ongoing relational support to seniors, vulnerable adults, or children.

  • Participate in field visits and shadowing opportunities with a range of health providers and other local community leaders.

  • Participate and volunteer in community related service projects, including with local civic, nonprofit, healthcare, and other organizations.

  • Receive small group academic support including in ACT Prep and core academic skills as well as seminars and projects that focus on professional and life skills.

What do Students Gain?

  • Develop and hone skills highly valued in health, community health, and other professional settings, including teamwork, communication, relationship building, empathy, resilience, leadership, and more.

  • Develop a civic, citizenship, and service mindset while participating in and helping lead community based projects.

  • Find purpose and agency through community involvement, volunteerism, service, and exposure to a range of healthcare, community health, and other projects.

  • Strengthen core academic skills, improve ACT performance, and develop professional and practical life skills.

  • Work towards credentials and certifications and set themselves apart for paths in health careers, other careers, or further education.

To Inquire, Please Contact:

For Greensboro Site: Holly Ellis (h.ellis@halecohosp.com)

Other Volunteer Opportunities for High School Students

Hale County Hospital is committed to providing meaningful opportunities for students to engage with healthcare beyond the classroom. In addition to our structured programs, students may have opportunities to volunteer within the hospital in ways that support patient care, hospital operations, and community health initiatives.

Volunteer experiences may include assisting hospital staff, supporting community outreach efforts, and participating in activities that promote wellness and patient engagement. These opportunities are designed to give students valuable exposure to the healthcare environment while developing responsibility, communication skills, and a deeper understanding of service.

We will continue to share and post new student opportunities as they become available.

Previous Student Programs

Scholars Program

The Hale County Hospital High School Scholars Program was designed to educate and expose high school students to the healthcare field through four core components: Careers in Healthcare, Scientific Reasoning, Technical Expertise, and Community Health.

As our first official student initiative, the program operated as an after-school experience held one day per week. Students were selected from Greensboro High School, with each cohort typically consisting of 10 to 13 participants.

The program focused primarily on healthcare education with staff shadowing opportunities. Students received instruction in human anatomy, body systems, and developed an understanding of the wide range of career paths available within healthcare. In addition, there were various guest speakers, including physicians, nurses, administrators, and other hospital professionals, who provided insight into their roles, daily responsibilities, and career journeys.

Summer Internship Program

Building on the success of the Scholars Program, Hale County Hospital launched the High School Summer Internship Program in the summer of 2025. The program was designed to provide students with hands-on experience in a professional healthcare environment, allowing participants to shadow healthcare professionals, assist with departmental needs, and gain valuable insight into medical careers.

The internship was divided into two four-week sessions, one in June and one in July. During each session, students completed eight scheduled shadowing days, each lasting three hours, within a designated department. To successfully complete the program, students were required to attend at least six shadowing days.

Approximately 50 students participated in the Summer Internship, with an impressive 90% completion rate. Through this experience, students gained real-world exposure to healthcare operations and observed patient care and hospital workflows firsthand, further strengthening their understanding of careers in medicine.