Medtech Academy is a notable academy here at San Diego High School. It helps students explore and prepare for careers in healthcare, such as nursing, medical assisting, biotechnology, and forensic medicine. Most importantly, it also helps students build confidence, develop responsibility, and gain knowledge about how the human body works.
Mrs. Piñon, an SDHS English teacher and Director of the MedTech Academy, has brought pathway-specific English classes to Cavers that encourage students to think critically and empathetically about our relationship with the human body.
“Early exposure to real medicine environments helps students to know how to deal with medical situations in real life,” Mrs. Piñon said.
In addition to the growth in academic and professional knowledge, students are encouraged to engage with and support their communities through activities such as the upcoming blood donation drive here at SDHS. Although signing up for the Medtech Academy might appear difficult or intimidating, there is a lot of support for interested students. In addition to the regular requirements for a high school student, those in the academy have additional requirements, like certain classes that are related to healthcare. For instance, according to the official website, students need to complete a community service requirement, a minimum of 10 hours per year.
There are perks, of course. The program includes engaging labs in science classes, attending conferences, and having field trips that give students unique opportunities, such as working with actual human brains.
The MedTech Academy at SDHS is not just an academic pathway; it is an introduction to jobs that can save lives, improve health care, and advance science. For those students who don’t end up going into healthcare jobs immediately or after further study, MedTech gives students a strong foundation for any other careers and any field of study in college.
Interested students should speak with Mrs. Piñon or visit the website.
