Saint Thomas Health Honors Metro High School Students with Commissioning Ceremony

On Thursday, Saint Thomas Health held a commissioning ceremony for 118 Metro Nashville Public School students as part of their Health Scholars Program.

The Health Scholars Program is an Academies of Nashville partnership between Saint Thomas Health, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, the PENCIL Foundation and Metro Nashville Public Schools. Saint Thomas Health is one of the many private business partners in the city that works to provide hands-on learning experiences, mentorship, industry certification, and employment opportunities to high school students across Metro Schools.

The commissioning ceremony yesterday evening mirrors the ceremony that all new employees of Saint Thomas Health undertake when they begin working for the organization. It outlines Saint Thomas Health’s mission, core values and expectations for employees.

“Students are expected to uphold these core values during their time in the program, just like any new employees,” said Rebecca Bilbrey, a Saint Thomas Health Scholars Mentor that spends 90 minutes each week working directly with students.

Bilbrey is part of the support structure built to help students earn their Clinical Certified Medical Assistant certification. This certification helps students to find a job right out of high school if they choose, but also serves as a catalyst  for bigger and better career opportunities.

“The Saint Thomas Health Scholars program doesn’t end at graduation. We want to support these students on their path, whether that’s with postsecondary education, employment at Saint Thomas or employment elsewhere in the medical field,” said Bilbrey. “These students put a face on our efforts to uphold our mission and core values. We don’t just talk the talk at Saint Thomas - we walk the walk.”

Here at the Nashville Chamber, we recognize the need for students to have expanded access to postsecondary opportunities. The Academies of Nashville Industry Certification program is one way to make sure students across the city have access to economic opportunity and that Nashville’s workforce remains competitive in the healthcare industry.

Congratulations to all the students that took part in yesterday’s commissioning ceremony.