Independence Health System and the Tri-County Workforce Investment Board Celebrate Jr. Auxiliary Program

Butler, PA, August 23, 2024 … Independence Health System Butler Memorial Hospital celebrated the graduation of its largest Jr. Auxiliary class to date, with 49 students. On Friday, Aug. 16, students gathered with their families and staff at Butler Memorial Hospital for a ceremony and luncheon to mark the completion of the program. Students from school districts across Butler County and entering grades 10 through 12 this fall, participated in the 10-week program. Collectively, they amassed more than 2,000 hours of shadowing and volunteering opportunities.

The Jr. Auxiliary program offers students a dynamic environment to explore healthcare careers from clinical to administrative functions, further enhancing their understanding of the healthcare sector’s vast opportunities. Throughout the program, students engaged in areas such as ambulatory care, anesthesia, cardiology, dermatology, nursing, pharmacy, philanthropy, imaging, orthopedics, pain management, pediatrics, physical therapy, pulmonary, respiratory therapy, sterile processing, telemetry, women’s care, and surgery, among others.

“We are incredibly proud of the Jr. Auxiliary Program and the opportunities it provides students to observe healthcare up close, in their community,” said Ronee Haller, BSN, RN, Jr. Auxiliary Program Coordinator. “Over the past few years, we have enriched the program to allow more interactive experiences with providers and staff to provide students a deeper insight into various career opportunities. In doing so, we hope to further fuel their curiosity and desire to pursue a career in healthcare.”

This year, the program was further enhanced through a partnership with the Tri-County Workforce Investment Board (TCWIB). Students received a $300 incentive for fulfilling all program requirements, including a minimum of 30 hours of job shadowing and volunteer work. Funding for the incentive was made possible through a federal regional grant from Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities, a partner with TCWIB and part of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s Healthcare Employment Ecosystem (SWPA-HEE) collaborative program, which encompasses Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

The SWPA-HEE collaborative aims to connect residents directly with the region’s healthcare industry to help them secure opportunities in high-demand healthcare occupations. This includes engaging youth enrolled in high-school and post-secondary education.

During the ceremony, students and staff had the opportunity to share and reflect on their experiences. These included opportunities to observe procedures, engage with patients, assist staff and forge new friendships. By the program’s end, students gained further appreciation for both clinical and non-clinical roles in medicine, gaining a clearer vision of their own career interests.

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Nationally recognized for quality care, Independence Health System comprises Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland Hospitals with a combined bed count of 925. With more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and 7,300 employees, the System is the third largest in western Pennsylvania serving a population base of 750,000 in a footprint spanning more than 10 counties.

The System includes tertiary programs rated among America’s best for cardiac care and surgery, earning accolades from a number of prestigious outlets and organizations. Locally owned and locally controlled, Independence Health System offers its patients low-cost, high-quality care across the care spectrum in such specialties as cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, women’s health and obstetrics, emergency medicine, behavioral health and primary care. Its network of outpatient centers sees more than 1.2 million visits annually. The homecare division further supports patients at all stages of life with home health and hospice services. Learn more at www.independence.health