Within Reach program to shed light on careers in health care

The next Within Reach program in Roanoke will shed light on the depth and breadth of health care career options and what it takes to get there.

The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine is teaming up with Jefferson College of Health Sciences, Virginia Western Community College, and Virginia Tech’s Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health program to help Roanoke-area students understand what health care educational offerings are available in the Roanoke area—and to realize that a health care career is within their reach.

During the fourth annual Within Reach program, representatives from each of the schools will discuss a range of health care careers and offer tips on preparing for these training programs.

The event will take place Tuesday, Jan. 13 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine.

An information fair starts at 6 p.m.

School representatives will highlight more than two dozen academic programs, including those that lead to a certificate in medical laboratory science or practical nursing, an associate degree in such fields as respiratory therapy and surgical technology, a bachelor’s degree in a range of fields such as emergency services and health care management, a master’s degree in such fields as nursing, a doctoral degree in translational medicine, or a medical degree.

A question-and-answer session will follow the presentations.

“We’re hoping to reach students who never even considered a career in health care as a possibility,” said Dr. David Trinkle, associate dean for community and culture at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. “This includes high school and college students as well as mid-career professionals. Participants will learn that many different professions are within their reach and that once they get a job in health care, their futures abound with many more opportunities.”

Also invited to attend are teachers, school counselors, parents, and community and church leaders.

The event is free. Ample parking is available.

For more information about Within Reach, call the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine at 540-526-2565 or email Jefferson College of Health Sciences.

The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute joins the basic science, life science, bioinformatics, and engineering strengths of Virginia Tech with the medical practice and medical education experience of Carilion Clinic. Virginia Tech Carilion is located in a new biomedical health sciences campus in Roanoke at 2 Riverside Circle.