Local High School Students Explore Future Health Care Careers at MEDucation Day 2026

May 4, 2026 - 20:02

More than 200 high school juniors from the Winston-Salem and Charlotte regions stepped out of the classroom and into the world of modern medicine this week at MEDucation Day 2026. Hosted by Advocate Health, the event gave students a rare chance to explore cutting-edge health care technology and talk directly with doctors, nurses, and medical technicians about what their jobs really look like.

Instead of sitting through lectures, the students rotated through hands-on stations. They practiced suturing on synthetic skin, tested their skills on robotic surgery simulators, and learned how to read basic ultrasound images. One station focused on emergency response, where students worked through a mock trauma scenario under the guidance of paramedics and emergency room staff.

Organizers said the goal was to spark interest in health care careers at a critical time. The industry faces a growing shortage of workers, especially in nursing and allied health fields. For many students, the event was their first exposure to jobs like respiratory therapy, medical lab science, and radiology.

"It opened my eyes to how many options there are," said one attendee from a Charlotte high school. "I always thought about being a doctor, but now I see there are other ways to help people."

Advocate Health plans to expand the program next year to include students from more school districts across the region.