Del. Terry Austin (R-Botetourt County) was inspired to set up a pilot program to promote careers in health care as he was recovering from cancer. The Roanoke Times explains the pilot with input from Todd Putney, vice president of human resources of Medical Facilities of America.

In the House of Delegates budget, there is $350,000 general funds for a pilot program between Roanoke City and Botetourt County Public Schools, Virginia Western Community College, Radford University Carilion, and regional healthcare employers to create a curriculum and pipeline of high school students to address employer needs. It is anticipated that additional school divisions would roll out this curriculum in year two of the pilot. The final decision about the program won’t be known until the budget is finalized.

Read the full article: Hospital stay helped delegate see need to boost health care career education for high school students (roanoke.com, February 27, 2020)