Marshall Health News
Marshall Health Network, Cabell and Wayne Schools announce inaugural class of MedEx program
5/15/2024
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Today, students, their family members,and education leaders from Cabell and Wayne county schools joined the Marshall Health Network CEO Kevin W. Yingling, RPh, MD, FACP, as he announced the inaugural class selection of the region’s first Medical Explorers, or "MedEx" program.
MedEx is a two-year education and health care program that will introduce high school students to Marshall Health and give them first-hand, on-the-job experience in healthcare careers. This Marshall Health Network program, which is a partnership with both school systems, the Education Alliance and the West Virginia Department of Education, also serves as a direct pathway to a possible healthcare career after graduation.
During a ceremony today at the St. Mary’s Education Center, students signed on the dotted line to show their commitment to the program and were recognized in front of friends and family members with certificates and MedEx badges.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with our partners in introducing students to healthcare careers,” Yingling said. “This program will provide knowledge and real-world experience, setting students on a path to success in this field. We believe that by fostering this early interest and support, we can inspire the next generation of compassionate and skilled healthcare professionals who will make a positive impact on the lives of many.”
"We are pleased to work with our partners to open pathways for students across the state," said State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt. "Programs such as these increase student success because they combine real-world experience with classroom learning. Students are able to cast a vision for their future while gaining a range of skills necessary to successfully pursue their journey. The MedEx program is what industry and education working together looks like, and our students will reap the benefits of this partnership for years to come."
The MedEx program will begin at the start of the 2024-2025 school year. Students will participate in a classroom health science learning at the school and at Cabell Huntington and St. Mary’s hospitals, working alongside Marshall Health Network employees. The program is modeled after a manufacturing program that originated at Toyota Motor Manufacturing. It was developed locally via a collaborative effort with partners from across the educational spectrum.
“The future is bright in our state and there are so many healthcare career opportunities. Today’s Signing Day spotlights how the MedEx program will enable Cabell and Wayne county students to develop the professional and technical skills they need to be successful,” said Dr. Amelia Courts, president and CEO of The Education Alliance. “We are grateful to Marshall Health Network and all of our partners for their commitment to equipping our students for a bright future.”
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Media Relations Contact
Michele McKnight
Assistant Director of External Affairs
304-691-1713
mcknigh4@marshall.edu
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