At Salem Community High School, the Health Occupations program has become a critical pathway for students aspiring to enter the healthcare field. Overseen by Michelle Blomberg, the program equips students with a range of practical skills, certifications, and hands-on experiences that prepare them for careers in healthcare or even higher education in the field. What started with just eight students in 2013 has since blossomed into a well-respected and thriving program that opens doors for students well before they graduate.

The program’s strength lies in its focus on real-world readiness. Students in the Health Occupations program don’t just learn from textbooks—they engage in clinical settings, participate in internships, and earn certifications that set them apart from their peers. “We want our students to leave here confident, whether they’re pursuing a career as a certified nursing assistant, an EMT, or preparing for a future in nursing or medicine,” says Blomberg, reflecting the program’s broader goal of creating real career opportunities.

Many students graduate from Salem Community High School with professional certifications in hand, ready to enter the workforce immediately. The program’s partnerships with regional healthcare providers offer students internships and clinical experiences that allow them to put their classroom knowledge into practice. “It’s one thing to study healthcare in a classroom,” Blomberg explains, “but it’s a completely different experience when they’re in a hospital or care facility, interacting with patients. That’s when the learning truly clicks.”

The program’s curriculum balances academic rigor with practical application. Students study anatomy, medical terminology, and patient care, but they are also trained to apply these skills in real healthcare environments. This combination of theory and practice ensures students are well-rounded and ready for whatever path they choose—whether they pursue higher education in healthcare or start working right away.

A key aspect of the program’s success is its focus on both technical skills and the human side of healthcare. Blomberg emphasizes that empathy, communication, and emotional intelligence are just as important as medical knowledge. “Healthcare is about people,” she says. “We can teach all the technical skills in the world, but if our students don’t know how to listen and care for someone in need, they’re missing a crucial part of the profession.”

This well-rounded approach has not only earned the program high regard within the school, but it has also garnered the attention of local healthcare employers. Many area providers seek out Blomberg’s students for job openings, knowing they’ve been well-prepared for the demands of the industry. The program’s reputation continues to grow, and so do the opportunities it provides for Salem’s students.

Blomberg and her colleagues in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) department work closely to ensure that students are taking the courses that best align with their interests and career goals, whether those are in healthcare, technical trades, or beyond. The Health Occupations program is just one example of how CTE programs at Salem are shaping the futures of students.

Looking ahead, Blomberg hopes to expand the program to offer even more certifications and deepen partnerships with healthcare providers. “I want every student to walk away from this program with options,” she says. “Whether they pursue healthcare or not, they should leave knowing they are capable of achieving great things.”

Salem Community High School’s Health Occupations program stands as a model of how education can prepare students for meaningful careers, giving them the tools, skills, and confidence to succeed in the healthcare field and beyond.