As highlighted in previous Spotlights, generating interest in the healthcare workforce from an early age has brought success. Some Minnesota schools are incorporating health care workforce classes in their curriculum and engaging in early exposure initiatives. Montevideo Medical Academy shows how a district can partner with the community to create these experiences for their students.

Strong foundations

Rural health care systems — hospitals, clinics, and long-term care — are experiencing serious workforce shortages. Finding solutions to this problem is critical. A key to expanding the future healthcare workforce in rural Minnesota is by generating interest at an early age. Montevideo Medical Academy was developed to help high school students in rural Minnesota explore healthcare careers and earn college credit while doing so.

Montevideo Medical Academy gives students the educational foundation and experiences that can launch them into healthcare careers. High school students in Montevideo can complete 22 college credits and earn industry certifications in Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Trained Medication Aide (TMA), Pharmacy Technician, and First Aid/CPR. Students interact with local healthcare employers throughout the year by job shadowing, participating in site tours, learning from industry professionals in the classroom, and completing internships and externships. 

Strong partnerships

Montevideo Medical Academy was developed through partnerships with Montevideo Public Schools, CCM Health system, the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging, and Minnesota West Community and Technical College. The Academy has received funding from Launch Your Future Today (LYFT) Career Pathways, a rural career and technical education pathway initiative in southwest and west central Minnesota, and the Southwest Initiative Foundation, a nonprofit community foundation serving southwest Minnesota.

The 25 students enrolled in Montevideo Medical Academy last school year earned a combined total of 170 college credits, 55 certifications and 304 hours of clinical experience. Students also participated in panel discussions with local healthcare employers to learn about different careers, toured local healthcare facilities and completed an aging sensitivity simulation to aid in student understanding of aging challenges and health needs.

In recognition of this program, Montevideo High School was listed as a 2023-2024 Star of Innovation Award Winner - Silver Star by the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals. Program coordinators presented their work at the 2024 Minnesota Rural Health Conference and the Minnesota Rural Education Association Summit on Education.