Care Team Members help Lakeville students learn about careers in medicine

[Allina News, January 22, 2025] Seventeen Allina Health Care Team Members went on a "field trip" Wednesday, Jan. 15, to help  8th graders from Lakeville, Minn. schools learn what it is like to work in health care. 

Students from three public schools within Independent School District (ISD)194, plus one Lakeville private school, gathered at Airlake Airport for the third annual "Stepping into your Future: 8th grade career exploration" event. 

The goal of this event is to expose middle school students to hands-on activities, so they better understand the high school courses, clubs, and potential career paths available to them.

Allina Health provided six of the 36 stations, each representing a different type of medical specialty. Approximately 1,000 students broke into small groups and rotated through Allina Health’s stations every 10-15 minutes. They played a giant Operation game, read imaging, learned to use an AED during a mock Code Blue, operated ear and suction equipment, fitted crutches, learned athletic taping techniques, and experienced surveillance and speed techniques used in life guarding.

Nicole Larson, RN, MBA, clinic manager at Allina Health Lakeville Specialty Center organized Allina Health’s event stations and volunteers. She shared how participating in events like this is how Allina Health demonstrates its dedication to the health and wellness of the communities we serve. 

"This event is a fantastic example of Allina Health’s commitment to not only provide exceptional care to the patients we serve in Lakeville, but to also be an active partner within the community," said Nicole. "Introducing students to various career paths, including health care, is an important first step in building the pipeline of our future health care colleagues." 

Allina Health recently expanded its services to provide expert care at two new Lakeville locations, Lakeville North Clinic and the Lakeville Specialty Center. 

This event, sponsored by ISD 194, the Lakeville Chamber of Commerce and supported by several area businesses, grew out of a senior capstone project planned and organized by three Lakeville South High School students last year. 

"We are grateful to be part of this community and can’t wait to come back again next year!" said Nicole.