Huntley High closer to getting medical campus

Administrators in Huntley Area District 158 had an inkling they were on to something when they first proposed establishing a medical campus at Huntley High School that would prepare students for careers in the medical field.

Their hunch was reaffirmed after meeting with college representatives from several universities in recent weeks to build partnerships and gather information, administrators told the board at Thursday’s committee of the whole meeting..

“The reception we have gotten has been unbelievable and I don’t mean that in any exaggerated sense,” said Mary Olson, the district’s chief academic officer. “It has really opened our eyes to the facilities we will need down the road.”

The academy would immerse students in electives related to the health care field, as well as their regular courses.

Olson said program leaders recently visited with representatives from McHenry County College, Harper College, Northern Illinois University and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Each of the institutions had something different to offer the district, from a state-of-the-art clinical facility at Harper College to the ability for students to work on research teams at UIC, Olson said.

“We are doing something that’s really cutting edge because universities are being so responsive,” Olson said. “They are in sync with what we need to do.”

Representatives from UIC also suggested the district rename the program so that universities and other institutions do not pigeonhole the program as one that prepares students solely for careers as doctors.

“For the corporation that gives us the money, we are open to calling it anything,” Superintendent John Burkey quipped.

When fully implemented, the program will offer students two pathways beginning their freshmen year. The medical professional pathway is designed for those students who plan on completing four or more years of postsecondary studies. Students will be concurrently enrolled in honors and advanced placement course in high school.

Meanwhile, the certified allied health pathway will prepare students for a field requiring an associate degree or similar certification.

For the 2011-2012 school year, the district is offering an introductory course titled, “Medical Skills and Services,” which will include topics on health care professions, medical terminology, basic anatomy and basic medical skills. The course has already closed with two sections of 35 students in grades 10 through 12 filling up overnight, Olson said.

Basic instructional materials are estimated to cost the district $6,000.

The school board at its next board meeting will consider approving a textbook that would cost the district about $100 per copy.