St. Luke’s University Health Network is opening doors for the next generation of health care professional one hands-on experience at a time.
Now in its third year, St. Luke’s Hands On Immersive Experience has welcomed more than 400 students from 18 school districts across the region. Designed for students in grades 9–12, the program offers a close-up look at what it’s really like to work in health care.
“The goal is to give students a true feel for the field,” said Ashley Koren, Volunteer Engagement Specialist with St. Luke's. “We want them to see the many paths they can take and start thinking about their future.”
The approach works.
“The field trip I took to St. Luke’s was the most enjoyable educational trip I’ve ever attended,” said Panther Valley student Corrigan Crampsie. “Usually, school trips are a lot of listening to people, but this one was very interactive which is what made it so fun. I also think how hands-on it was made it very easy to learn how to wrap a tourniquet and what a concussion will feel like.”
Throughout the school year, students attend sessions held at several St. Luke’s campuses, including Sacred Heart, Easton, Monroe, Lehighton and Warren. This past year, the Network hosted seven sessions, each running from mid-morning to early afternoon and bringing together students from multiple schools.
At each event, students are divided into small groups and rotate through eight interactive stations, each focused on a different area of health care. These stations are designed to be engaging, educational and hands-on, giving students a chance to try skills and ask questions in a real-world setting.
Some of the most popular stations include CPR training, patient care simulations and other clinical activities that help students build confidence and curiosity. New stations are added each year to keep the experience fresh and to reflect the wide range of careers available in health care from clinical roles to support services.
The impact goes beyond the classroom. Teachers and students consistently share positive feedback after attending, noting how the program brings learning to life in a way textbooks cannot. Many students leave with a better understanding of health care careers and a stronger interest in pursuing them.
The program is made possible through collaboration with local schools and St. Luke’s teams across multiple departments. By working together, they create an experience that highlights both the depth and breadth of opportunities within the health care field.
Each session may host a different number of schools, depending on schedules and availability, but the mission remains the same: to inspire, educate and prepare students for a possible future in health care.
As the program continues to grow, St. Luke’s remains committed to investing in student learning and building a strong pipeline of future health care professionals. Through hands-on experiences, real-world exposure and meaningful connections, these students are not just learning about health care, they’re beginning to see themselves in it.
