White Coats, Bold Futures: Kern Healthcare Academy Immerses Students in Medical Experience

For a group of rising juniors and seniors from the Kern High School District, this summer was more than a break from the classroom — it marked the beginning of what could be a lifelong calling. The first-ever Kern Healthcare Academy wrapped up its immersive three-day residential program with a symbolic white coat ceremony on Thursday at California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB), celebrating the students’ early commitment to healthcare careers.

“This is a really remarkable moment for you,” said Dr. Vernon Harper, president of CSUB during his address at the white coat ceremony. “It’s not just an honor, it’s a responsibility to grab onto the potential you have and use that potential to go forward in these careers that are designed to help and support people, and grow Kern County.”

Organized through a powerful collaboration between the Morehouse School of Medicine, Dignity Health, CSUB, the Kern High School District (KHSD), the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS), the More in Common Alliance, and the Kern Regional K-16 Education Collaborative, the academy was created to address a critical need in the region’s healthcare workforce while empowering the next generation of local medical professionals.

“It’s super exciting to be able to offer this to students, to be able to spark that interest and plant that seed,” said Stephanie Balthazar, a coordinator with KCSOS who helped spearhead the academy. “We are in a deficit when it comes to our healthcare providers. We want to start building that momentum and that excitement now so that they stay on that path.”

Joell Rivera, an incoming junior at Highland High School, jumped at the chance to apply for the program as soon as he found out about it. When he was in middle school, Joell needed an open-heart surgery to fix a coronary artery. Ever since he met the team of physicians who saved his life, he has known that he wanted to follow their footsteps and enter the medical field to become an anesthesiologist. He says this academy has been incredible, and he’s still trying to process all the great things he’s experienced.

“I’ve met a lot of people, and I’ve actually got a lot of contact information, so I will keep in touch. That’s something really great that this program provides to us,” Joell said. “It’s a great opportunity I’m trying to cherish and take advantage of.”

The academy provided students with hands-on learning, exposure to medical technologies, and direct access to professionals in the healthcare field—all while residing in college dorms and attending sessions on the university campus.

“I’ve never been away from my mom that long. I think it’ll be a good introduction to what college life will be, but it’s also a little nerve-racking,” said Abby Jackson, a student participant from Centennial High School.

Students also had the rare opportunity to learn from physicians and professionals from the Morehouse School of Medicine, who traveled from Atlanta, Georgia, to participate in the academy.

“We’re giving them opportunities for experiential learning, that will allow them to immerse themselves in healthcare and STEM learning,” said Dr. Ryan Clark, Executive Director of Morehouse’s Office for Educational Outreach and Health Careers. “That is our goal, to create that environment, to create that connection with them, and make sure that they feel like they’re part of a broader community of people who are invested in their success.”

Dr. Clark, who leads Morehouse’s national efforts to build health career pathways for underrepresented students, emphasized the importance of engaging with students early.

“If we can work with the students at this age, it’s paramount, it’s key,” he said. “This pathway is extremely important because the students can be the catalyst for change in their community.”

For Tanvi Thallapalle, A senior at Stockdale High School, the academy’s focus on personal development stood out just as much as the academic content. During a networking event, students had the opportunity to engage with professionals in healthcare, as well as local community and business officials. Tanvi said she met someone who works with county budgets, and didn’t realize how closely that work coincides with the medical industry.

“Those budgets affect people’s lives. It showed me just how much government policy can affect money, the health care we provide, and even how the people are providing it,” Tanvi said. “I’m looking forward to using the knowledge that I got from all these networking sessions and hospital visits.”

Amy Tang, also a senior at Stockdale, is interested in becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). She says that for her, the tour of Memorial Hospital and the lab was the most interesting part of the experience.

“It really showed me how the hospital works, and especially the lab,” she said. “I learned how the technology can influence the lab work and blood tests as well.”

One of the core goals of the program was to connect students to the concept of health equity—an approach that Morehouse defines as providing patients with what they need, when they need it, and in the amount they need it.

“Equality says everybody gets the same treatment. Equity says we can give you that personalized approach,” Dr. Clark explains. “I guarantee you, you will see more positive health outcomes. That’s why equity matters.”

Throughout the academy, students learned about the diverse range of careers within healthcare, including doctors, nurses, hospital administrators, public health leaders, and biomedical researchers. During a field trip to Memorial Hospital downtown, students sat down for a lunch session with resident doctors from the Morehouse School of Medicine, giving them a real-time look at the next step in their healthcare journey. Dr. Hasrat Maan, a first-year resident, said he had a great time interacting with students.

“If I was able to impact one of them, I would think it would be a great achievement,” Dr. Maan said. “I mentioned as long as you’re doing things with compassion and passion, you’re going to do great in any field that you choose.”

The Kern Healthcare Academy was launched as a pilot program, with plans already in motion to expand to more school districts and include additional partners, to allow more students to participate for years to come.

“I’m so excited to be able to have this partnership with Morehouse,” Balthazar emphasized. “Being able to have a medical school come and invest in our community and want that partnership is a big deal, and something that we hope will continue.”

Dr. Clark echoed the long-term vision, saying this partnership has bloomed organically and there are big things to come.

“This is just the start,” he said. “Kern County does a wonderful, wonderful job of educating students. Morehouse School of Medicine does a wonderful job of training future health care students, and we believe that our efforts combined truly impact the trajectory of students.”

As students walked across the stage to receive their white coats, the symbolism was clear: their journey may just be starting, but they are already walking a path of purpose—toward careers that could one day heal not just patients, but the very communities they call home.

“I think we can all agree that it was an absolutely amazing experience,” Abby said. “We got to see what it’s like to not only work in the healthcare field but what impact you can have on not only your patients but the community you come from.”

Students participated in a hands-on CPR training activity.