Grand Rapids Public Schools and Spectrum Health jointly support the School of Health Science at Central Campus.  

Building a Healthier Workforce

Building a healthier staff ensures a healthier hospital setting—and a healthier community in the years ahead. That's why Spectrum Health has partnered with Grand Rapids Public Schools to develop the School of Health Science. Located on the Central High School campus, adjacent to the "medical mile," the School of Health Science has been designed to connect students with leading health care employers. The ultimate goal of this unique partnership is to give students interested in the field of health science preparation for their college education, as well as a jump-start on a rewarding career in the fastest-growing industry in West Michigan. By pledging $150,000 annually over three years and dedicating a full-time employee to drive the initiative, Spectrum Health is further investing in the health of our future workforce and the place we proudly call home.

A Firsthand Look at the World of Health Care

Students enrolled at the School of Health Science will connect to the real workplace through a variety of activities and opportunities. In an interactive environment, participants will discover firsthand the challenging and exciting world of health science. Workplace experiences may include:

• Job shadowing and observations
• Internships and mentoring
• Service learning
• Tours
• Career fairs and speakers
• Employment

Goals of Our Partnership

The goals of the Spectrum Health/Grand Rapids Public School partnership include:

• Collaborating with the Spectrum Health talent acquisition team to expose students to various health care careers
• Increasing the number of Grand Rapids Public School students who choose a health care career by linking education with career skills and real-life experiences
• Aligning the education curriculum to prepare students for the health, science and technology needs of the future
• Employing School of Health Science students at Spectrum Health

Benefiting Students and Employers Alike

Students benefit by:

• Developing academic and future career skills by exposure to a health-science curriculum
• Examining career interests, goals and abilities
• Learning about the vast range of health careers within their chosen pathway
• Valuing education as a lifelong process
• Gaining knowledge through observing and interacting

Employers (and the community) benefit by:

• Contributing to the growth of a life-sciences corridor in Grand Rapids
• Investing in the economic health of our community
• Readying a more viable and experienced workforce
• Diversifying their workforce, gaining opportunities for early recruitment of potential employees, and enhancing creativity and innovation in their workplaces
• Sharing their expertise and helping to fuel ongoing interest in the field of health care

Contact Us

If you'd like to lend your time, knowledge and talents to this exclusive partnership, please contact:
Cassandra Hankins
Healthier Communities
665 Seward Ave. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
616.391.3244

You can also learn more about the School of Health Science by calling (616) 819-3276 or visiting Grand Rapids Public Schools.