Twenty teachers from across the state gathered in Missoula last week for a 40 hour course in the Fundamentals of Health Science.
The course was offered by the University of Montana-Missoula College of Technology, and participants received tuition, all course materials, lodging, meals, and travel costs, thanks to a Perkins Grant awarded by OPI.
The teachers were recognized at a dinner and reception at the newly constructed Canyon Club, overlooking Washington Grizzly stadium, and thanked for their efforts by the Provost of the University of Montana, Royce Engstrom, and by the Deans of the College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences and the College of Technology.
Why all the excitement about this program?
Quite simply, teachers of Health Science are urgently needed across the state as key participants in the effort to encourage young people to enter the health professions.
Until recently, the pathway to a Health Science endorsement required at least a 2-year degree in the health professions, along with a significant amount of work in the healthcare field, in addition to teacher licensure. This course was created as a new pathway to the Health Science endorsement, and included 40 hours of classroom work and 40 hours of job shadowing with health professionals, to be completed by the end of the year. The Health Science endorsement enables the teacher, in collaboration with the school's administration, to develop and offer a Health Careers class and other Health Science programming, as well as to establish chapters of the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) at their schools.
With twenty-one teachers halfway to earning the Health Science endorsement, Montana's schools, especially small, rural schools, are poised to more than double the number of Health Science programs offered statewide.
At the celebratory dinner and reception, teachers listened intently to Manuel Garza, Health Science teacher and HOSA chapter advisor from Helena High School, describe the work of his HOSA chapter. "I keep track of my students after they graduate," he told the teachers. "Quite a few are pursuing health careers now."
Eli Hovland, current Montana HOSA President and incoming Billings West High School senior, emphasized the variety of students in HOSA, and stressed the value of HOSA membership for developing life skills as well as knowledge of health professions.
Teachers leaving the course were encouraged to utilize their regional Area Health Education Center (AHEC) as a resource in connecting with job shadowing sites or identifying potential partnerships and programming opportunities for HOSA and Health Science in the schools.
Participants Included:
Sheryl Aasheim, Medicine Lake Candace Barton, Bozeman
Leo Bird, Browning Leanne Bohlinger-Cox, Missoula Leslie Burham, Missoula Caroline Ehmann, Darby
Jeff Forbes, Boulder Reg Hageman, Helena
Brian Harrell, Browning John Johnson, Plentywood
Mikal Rae Jones, Manhattan Kate Lindner, Missoula
Amy Mack, Missoula Katie Meier, Augusta:
Wes Peters, Butte Marian Prewett, Roundup
David Ternes, Boulder Jim Vaile, Browning
Connie Wittak, Scobey Ben Young, Kalispell
For more information about developing a Health Science program or HOSA chapter at your school, contact Renee Harris, 444-2059 or
rharris3@mt.gov 
Training Participants
