Featured Work: Gunnison Valley Health Medical Pathways Program

Client: Gunnison Valley Health

Format: Annual immersive workforce development program

Published: April 2025

The Gunnison Valley Health Medical Pathways Program is a 10 week immersive initiative designed to introduce local students to careers in healthcare and support recruitment of homegrown talent. Over the past two years, I have served as the program lead, point of contact and on-site coordinator for the program, managing every aspect from planning through delivery and community engagement.

This experience demonstrates my ability to design and execute complex, multi-stakeholder programs that require extensive coordination, communication and hands-on leadership.

Program Goals

• Provide students with real-world exposure to diverse healthcare careers

• Support local workforce development and talent retention

• Foster connections between students, parents, community partners and healthcare professionals

• Highlight career pathways and professional development opportunities within the health system

Leadership and Responsibility

As the program lead, I was responsible for:

• Designing the curriculum and weekly schedule for experiential learning

• Coordinating participation from nearly every department within the health system

• Serving as the primary contact for students and parents, available for questions and support before, during and after each session

• Managing logistics, materials, communication and risk planning

• Documenting the experience through photography, short video content and social media recaps

I was present every night of the program, actively facilitating sessions, supporting student engagement and ensuring a safe and productive learning environment. My role extended beyond planning to active, daily execution and relationship building.

Multi-Department Coordination

The program leveraged expertise from diverse areas of the organization. I collaborated with department leaders to:

• Create meaningful hands-on experiences in clinical and non-clinical settings

• Schedule tours, interactive demonstrations and professional conversations

• Align departmental schedules and staffing with program needs

This collaboration provided students with a comprehensive view of the health system and the variety of roles that make it function. Each year highlighted over 25 unique pathways into healthcare.

Participant Experience

The Medical Pathways Program offered students:

• Guided exposure to real job roles, workflows and workplace environments

• Hands-on activities, departmental interaction and professional Q&A

• Purposeful reflection and career discussion sessions

• Customized support throughout the process

As program lead, I provided dinner for students during evening sessions, fostering a supportive environment and reinforcing engagement. I also organized the program’s graduation celebration, including planning and purchasing gifts and coordinating the ceremony with family members in attendance.

Outreach and Documentation

I documented the program through:

• Event photography

• Short highlight videos shared across organization social media channels

• Recap posts published throughout and at the conclusion of the program including newsletter highlights

These communication efforts extended the reach of the program, reinforced community interest and showcased the health system’s investment in local talent.

Outcomes and Impact

The 2025 Medical Pathways Program culminated with students completing a structured, supportive learning experience that highlighted professional opportunities in healthcare. Participating students, families and community partners recognized the value of the program in:

• Expanding awareness of healthcare career pathways

• Strengthening connections between the health system and the community

• Supporting student confidence and career planning

Why This Matters

This project reflects my ability to manage complex, long-term programs that require strategic planning, daily hands-on coordination and strong communication with diverse stakeholders. It highlights my strengths as a program coordinator, student and parent liaison, multimedia storyteller and operational leader who can plan, execute and elevate programs that serve both organizational goals and community needs.

Read the original articles published by Gunnison Valley Health:

• 2025: https://www.gunnisonvalleyhealth.org/news/2025/april/eleven-students-complete-gunnison-valley-health-/

• 2024: https://www.gunnisonvalleyhealth.org/news/2024/may/inside-the-medical-pathways-program-fostering-th/