ECU Health, in partnership with STEM East and NC East Alliance, welcomed K-12 educators from across eastern North Carolina to the third annual Health Sciences Industry in Schools experience, an immersive, behind-the-scenes look at the ECU Health’s system of care designed to inspire the next generation of health care professionals.
This initiative aims to educate K-12 teachers in eastern North Carolina about the different health care careers available, from doctors and nurses to child life specialists and lab technicians to build a sustainable workforce pipeline to support the growing needs of the region.
By engaging teachers as ambassadors, the event equips them with firsthand knowledge about the wide range of opportunities in health care from clinical roles to critical support services so they can guide and help students learn about future careers.
“The core mission of STEM East is to empower our regional teachers as workforce developers,” said Dr. Ethan Lenker, director of Industry Engagement and Support, STEM East Network. “The most effective way to inform students about local career opportunities is to first equip our schools and educators with that same knowledge. By partnering with ECU Health and other industries, we ensure our teachers gain firsthand experience they can bring back to the classroom—making career exploration more practical, relevant, and connected to our region’s workforce needs.”
The goal is for educators to leave the training with real-world insights to bring back to their classrooms.
“We’re really highlighting health sciences industries for educators throughout the eastern part of North Carolina,” said Nancy Turner, workforce development consultant, ECU Health. “Our hope is to create a spark in students early on so that one day, they’ll be the ones providing care in our communities.”
This year’s featured experience centered on a simulated pediatric shark bite emergency. Educators toured the James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital and ECU Health Medical Center, watching live-action demonstrations led by experienced medical teams. From tourniquet application to patient transport and emergency department protocols, teachers witnessed the real-time collaboration it takes to save a life. Participants also visited and heard from team members in respiratory, radiology, blood bank, surgery, pharmacy, rehab and PICU and dietitians.
“We’re not just showcasing health sciences careers,” Turner said. “We talk about our values and the important character qualities it takes to be a health care provider like confidence, empathy and compassion. These are qualities that can be nurtured in every classroom and in every grade.”
By giving educators a deeper understanding of the skills a health care career demands, ECU Health is helping grow meaningful careers right here at home from a young age. That investment in local talent is key to addressing the long-term workforce challenges facing rural areas.
“Even starting as early as kindergarten, teachers can shape students’ character and spark their curiosity,” said Turner. “It’s not only about content knowledge, but about who they are becoming as future professionals.”