Health Professions Service Learning (Tenth Grade) Volunteer Program
New Brunswick Health Sciences Technology High School

Doctors, nurses, laboratory and x-ray technicians are all healthcare fields. These are highly skilled professions with a vital link to all communities. The Health Professions Tenth Grade Service Learning/Volunteer Program at the New Brunswick Health Sciences Technology High School seeks to stimulate interest in those fields. The object of the program is to motivate talented minority and economically- disadvantaged students to remain in school and further their education beyond high school. The students are involved in hospital based volunteer programs and community outreach programs serving to educate about the importance of social responsibility through volunteerism. The program partners with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital to introduce the students to new avenues of activities as well as future employment opportunities.

Participation in blood drives is difficult at best. In some communities, blood donation is none existent. These students, understanding the need for the precious gift of life, coordinated a blood drive in May 2002 within their community. Through educating, motivating and encouraging family and friends, the importance of minority donors was stressed. Where they successful? The collection of 36 life-saving pints of blood indicates success by all standards. This represented a 400% increase over the previous year. They exceeded their goal but more importantly “helped save lives.”