The Health Care Careers Club offers high school students an opportunity to learn about the various and diverse careers available in the medical field. Students can network with other students from different high schools interested in health-related fields. Guest speakers in a variety of health care positions describe their medical careers and the educational requirements needed. Students receive guidance and direction in how to achieve the goals they are striving to meet in a health care career. Often, participants are able to visit the different areas of the hospital that pertain to the speaker’s field, such as the Operating Room, Pediatrics, Catheterization Lab, Emergency Room, Morgue, etc.

Community Service Projects
The students from the club are also involved in community service projects such as collecting canned food for the needy, decorating the Pediatrics Unit and visiting and singing carols to the patients in the hospital during the holidays to name a few.

How the Health Care Careers Club Began . . .
A sophomore high school student, Mike Swart, started the Health Care Careers Club in 1993. He was inspired with the idea after attending a leadership conference given by PALS, the Sarasota school system’s volunteer network. He made contacts with Sarasota Memorial Hospital personnel who helped him to facilitate the club. The club has steadily grown in popularity in Sarasota County.

When and Where Does the Club Meet?
The Health Care Careers Club meets during the school year the first Monday of each month (with the exception of September and January which is the second Monday of the month) from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00P.M. in the Waldemere Auditorium located within Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Club members are encouraged to purchase and wear the Health Care Careers Club shirt for $20.00, which identifies them as a member of the club when touring the hospital and working on volunteer activities. Cick here to view the 2009-2010 club schedule.

Please call 941-993-0608 or 917-7310 for more information.

Sponsored by
Sarasota Memorial Hospital , GFWC Golden City Woman’s Club, and the Rotary Club of Sarasota Keys sponsor the club.