Pursuit, Providence Hospitals’ education program for rising high school juniors and seniors in the Midlands is a two-week summer program that gives students opportunity to shadow health care professionals and learn about the medical field first-hand.

Only 42 students were chosen out of 100 applicants from Richland, Lexington and Fairfield districts for this year’s Pursuit program.  The program is split into two, two-week sessions, with 21 students participating in each session. 

The Pursuit program gives students a chance to discover what it’s like to work in a hospital and encourages them to consider health care professions as part of their future. Program participants take part in a mock gallbladder surgery and share in a patient care scenario using an interactive simulation mannequin.  Students shadow employees in various clinical areas, including nursing units, the laboratory, pharmacy, radiology and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. Additionally, students visit the University of South Carolina School of Medicine to learn more about research and clinical studies.  Students who complete the program also receive a small stipend.