Mandarin High School Hosts Medical Academy Grand Opening on January 20th

Jacksonville, Florida, January 8, 2009 -- Sixty-five students at Mandarin High School are starting their career training early by participating in the inaugural year of the school's Center for Medical Studies, which integrates heath and medical science studies into all aspects of the student's education. Mandarin parents, students, and community members who are interested in learning more about the program are invited to attend a Medical Academy Open House on Tuesday, January 20, 2009, from 6:30 - 8 pm in the auditorium.

The Medical Academy focuses on providing its students with the skills and experience necessary to attain entry-level jobs in health, medical and related fields. It also provides academic preparation to continue training through clinical experiences, community colleges and university programs.

Mandarin High's principal, Dr. Crystal Sisler, explained that "career academies offer students courses, internships, extracurricular activities, and personalized interactions with professionals in their targeted career fields. Exposure and extensive investigation in their own elected fields of career interests add excitement to their educational experience, create positive relationships with adults at school and in the professional world, and allow them to make more beneficial choices in their pursuits after high school."

Teachers and current medical academy students will be on-site during the open house to answer questions about the academy and give tours of the hands-on medical lab. FCCJ nursing students will provide free blood pressure checks and body mass index screenings.

Community representatives serving on the Medical Academy's advisory board, which include Baptist Medical Center South, Brooks Rehab, Florida Community College at Jacksonville, Medical Instrumentation Repair, River Garden Hebrew Home, Jacksonville Sports Medicine, Junior Achievement, American Eldercare and the University of North Florida, will be present with information about their facilities.