The Regional Office of Education #47 (ROE 47) and Sauk Valley Community College (SVCC) are hosting the Health Science Pathway Endorsement Symposium on Friday, April 4th, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at SVCC. This event will inspire high school students pursuing healthcare careers and celebrate pathway student achievements.
Addressing the Healthcare Workforce Shortage
Illinois faces a critical shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly in rural areas, impacting access to essential services. Many counties in northwestern Illinois are designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) in primary care, dental care, and mental health (Source: HRSA). The demand for nurses, emergency responders, dental providers, home health aides, and long-term care professionals continues to grow, with workforce gaps straining rural healthcare systems (Source: National Rural Health Association).
To address these shortages, ROE 47, SVCC, and local healthcare providers are working together to build a strong pipeline for future healthcare professionals through pathway endorsement programs. These programs provide students with early exposure, hands-on experience, college credit, and foundational skills needed for careers in healthcare.
Explore the Future of Healthcare
Student attendees will:
- Gain insights from professionals in nursing, emergency response, radiology, sonography, home health, respiratory, and physical therapy.
- Engage in hands-on labs in SVCC’s state-of-the-art healthcare facilities.
- Explore careers through interactive breakout sessions and a college fair.
- Network with local healthcare professionals and fellow students.
- Celebrate students who have earned healthcare-related endorsements.
Participating School Districts
This event is made possible through the generous support of CGH Medical Center, OSF St. Katherine’s Hospital, and Sauk Valley College. The collaborative efforts of numerous school districts, including Dixon USD #170, Rock Falls THSD #301, Morrison CUSD #6, River Bend CUSD #2, Amboy CUSD #272, Sterling CUSD #5, Ashton Franklin Center CUSD #275, Forrestville Valley #221, Byron CUSD #226, Rochelle CUSD #231, Oregon CUSD #220, Polo CUSD #222, Newman Central Catholic High School and Eastland CUSD #308 underscore the shared commitment to addressing the provider shortage and building stronger, healthier communities.
