- Apr
- 10
- 2017
Sparking Interest!
As adults every so often we get the urge to ask a youngster, so what do want to be when you grow up. What if you knew you contributed to guiding the next famous innovator, next caring nurse, or next brilliant engineer?
As Northwell Health goes way beyond its scope of serving the community and parks itself in the classroom teaching innovation, at the kitchen table teaching good nutrition, and on the sidelines emphasizing safety and teamwork, our goal is to expose the youth in our communities to just how exciting and fulfilling a career in health care can be – whether it be a clinical or non-clinical role.
“There’s no industry like health care. Besides pursuing a career as a doctor or a nurse, you can also be an engineer, a chef, an accountant, a computer tech, a transporter – well the list goes on,” said President and CEO, Michael Dowling to some 600 students who recently attended the Third Annual Spark! Challenge at the Cradle for Aviation.
Spark!, run by HR’s Workforce Readiness Team, begins by inviting local high schools to specific areas within our organization. Each site/service line provides a unique and engaging opportunity for students to visit with professionals in the field learning about various career paths through interactive activities, case studies, shadowing and simulation.
“I don’t know how we did it, but we coordinated 8+ teams of students from Bellmore-Merrick JFK to cook a full Thanksgiving Day feast under one hour,” shares North Shore University Hospital’s head chef, Mike Kiley. “Staff from Food & Nutrition coached the students, while pushing their competitive buttons with a holiday cook-off. Not only did the teens have fun, they learned nutritional tips and how to better work as a team.”
Spark’s finale ended with 48 student teams presenting their final project to several Northwell Health judges on April 6. Kudos to our 51 participating sites/service lines who were super generous with their time and efforts at mentoring these students and creating our future workforce!
Everyone’s a Winner
And what would a contest be without our fearless leader tripling the prize bucket just moments before the winners were announced?
$3,000 in prize money went to students from Tottenville High School, Sacred Heart Academy, Valley Central High School and Glen Cove High School for their clarity, enthusiasm, content and creativity in the Presentation Award category.
“We have doubled our participation from both students and Northwell sites since last year,” says Lauren Pearson, Manager, Workforce Readiness. What a truly amazing and inspiring day. I am so grateful to work at Northwell Health, doing a job I love, surrounded by amazing people and leadership.”
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Such an amazing event for the students, as well as our employees! There is nothing like seeing the younger generation passionate about their future careers. Can’t wait to see what the amazing Workforce Readiness Team has in store for next year!
I would love to see Northwell also include the younger generation (Middle School) aged in this endeavor. My twins always ask, “Mommy we want to meet all the people at your job. Maybe we can work there some day.” As a long-time RN/NP for the Northwell, I am a proud employee of this institution. After working her for over 24 years and leaving. I returned.
Hi Nancy – Although there are currently no plans to do a Spark! Challenge with younger students – a great way to expose your kids to Northwell Health is the all employee softball tournament and BBQ. This years’ celebration takes place at Mitchel Field on August 5. Your family will get to meet and greet a few of our service lines, get a tour of our workforce safety van, and lots more. Hope to see you there!
And that my friends is what Northwell is all about! Community, Compassion and Teaching……Proud to be a part of.