Students will shadow health workers through new Medex internship with Marshall Health Network

Program organizers announced a partnership with Education Alliance to create Medex, a two-year pathway that pairs high school coursework with hospital shadowing and applied workplace training, a speaker said. The program is designed to expose students to a range of clinical roles and to help them decide whether a career in health care is a good fit.

A program organizer said juniors will rotate through multiple hospital departments to learn about different jobs and earn school credit, while seniors will be able to specialize in a chosen area and build skills directly applicable to entry-level jobs. "Students will go their junior year having an opportunity to see all the different types of jobs," the organizer said.

Multiple students gave on-the-record accounts of the program. One student said staff at host hospitals often "took extra time to explain things" and provided opportunities to interact with patients, which improved the learning experience. Another former pathway student who later worked through nursing school described taking STNA and phlebotomy coursework while employed and said having Medex in high school would have helped clarify career choices earlier: "I think throughout this program, we're getting the spark earlier on." A different student summarized the experience simply: "Medex is worth it. It's really fun."

Speakers said the program emphasizes mentorship. A presenter described placements in which students work alongside nurses and other practitioners, gaining both practical skills and confidence in communicating and presenting themselves outside school. A student recalled caring for a patient who had suffered a stroke and said the experience "gave me a lot more faith in humanity" and taught them about critical clinical situations.

A Marshall Health Network representative described the network as comprising four hospitals and cited roughly 10,500 employees across its facilities. The representative said the network hopes to hire program graduates and to continue supporting them if they pursue further schooling: "These students are going to have a certification when they graduate. They're going to be able to make a livable wage. They're going to be able to come work for us within Marshall Health Network." The representative framed Medex as part of a regional effort to build a sustainable healthcare workforce.

Organizers said Medex combines classroom foundations in health sciences with a second-year internship, giving students earlier exposure to health careers at no direct cost to them. Students who complete the program may leave high school with certifications and practical experience that can lead directly to employment or to more advanced study.

The presentation did not include details on enrollment numbers, program funding or specific certification names beyond those mentioned by students (STNA, phlebotomy). Organizers said the opportunity is available for students seeking health-related careers and emphasized ongoing partnership with Education Alliance and Marshall Health Network.