CPASS Scholars Explore Healthcare Pathways at Midwestern University
High school students discover graduate healthcare education through hands-on experiences
- IL - Downers Grove
CPASS Scholars entering their sophomore year of high school explore basic compounding during a pharmacy lab at Midwestern University's Downers Grove Campus.
For 20 high school students from schools across Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, a summer day at Midwestern University wasn't about choosing a career. It was about discovering the many possibilities that healthcare has to offer.
The students are part of the Creating Pathways and Access for Student Success (CPASS) Foundation, a nonprofit organization that empowers Illinois students from diverse backgrounds, including those from historically underrepresented and under-resourced communities, to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM). Through immersive learning experiences, mentorship, and year-round support, CPASS helps students build the confidence and skills to succeed in higher education and future healthcare careers.
Learning from Those Who’ve Been There
One of the day's most engaging conversations took place over lunch, when Mae Ciancio, Ph.D., Program Director, Biomedical Sciences, moderated a discussion with three current Master of Biomedical Sciences (M.B.S.) students: Alex Paul (Class of '27), Victoria Jones (Class of '27), and Jolene Noack (Class of '27).
The panelists shared that there is no single path to graduate school. Several described taking time between undergraduate studies and graduate school, gaining research experience, and discovering that career plans can evolve. They also answered questions about balancing academics with personal life, managing challenges, and preparing for advanced study, reassuring the scholars that persistence and curiosity matter as much as having a carefully mapped-out plan.
Exploring Healthcare, Hands-On
Throughout the visit, the scholars explored a variety of healthcare professions through interactive sessions in dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, osteopathic medicine, and other disciplines. They toured teaching laboratories, learned about healthcare education, and experienced hands-on activities that introduced them to the technology and skills used by today's healthcare professionals.
The morning also featured a veterinary medicine panel led by Carla Gartrell, D.V.M., Dean, College of Veterinary Medicine, joined by Carissa Thomas, D.V.M., Nonya Faikpui, D.V.M., and Jasmine McCoy, D.V.M. Drawing on their experiences in anesthesia, cardiology, surgery, and other specialties, the panelists encouraged students to remain open to unexpected opportunities and reminded them that there are many ways to build a meaningful career in veterinary medicine.
"You don't have to have all of it figured out immediately,” advised Dr. Thomas. “Just have a general plan, and be willing to adapt and be flexible."
