Workforce Programs
At UK King’s Daughters, we build programs that reach students early and often so that they can join a workforce that is ready for the future. Through our Workforce Institute, we offer a series of hands-on, age-appropriate programs for students in kindergarten through high school to achieve their goals and build a bright future. From career-themed activity books and classroom visits to job shadowing, hospital visits and live surgery experiences, each step is designed to grow with the student. These programs help individuals of all ages explore career options, connect with professionals, and see where they want to be in the world of healthcare. Learn more about each stage of the journey below.
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Special Programs
K-4 Kid’s Club
For students from kindergarten through 4th grade
As educators, you play a vital role in shaping the futures of your students, and the Workforce Institute is here to help. We’re excited to partner with you to better equip our young students for future success. Together, let’s empower the next generation to explore rewarding career paths while learning about the value of helping others. Utilize the following resources as an opportunity to inspire your students to dream big, understand how they can make a difference, and consider how their talents and passions might fit into the healthcare field.
Kid’s Club Special Guest
At the Workforce Institute, our goal is to operate as a reliable partner for your educational directives. If we can provide a guest speaker to visit your classroom or facilitate a special experience for your students, please let us know. For requests and more information, contact Mandy Medinger at mandy.medinger@kdmc.kdhs.us.
Activity Book
"Your Hospital Cares About You"
This imaginative activity book can spark students’ curiosity about meaningful careers that impact lives and serve communities. Through this initiative, thousands of elementary school students can be introduced to the diverse and exciting world of healthcare with engaging activities. These thoughtfully designed activity books are as fun as they are informative, with each page discussing how a hospital operates and showcasing the different roles within these settings.
By connecting students with these roles early, we can broaden their horizons and plant the seeds for future career aspirations. This initiative aligns seamlessly with educational goals, encouraging critical thinking, creativity, and career exploration while fostering a deeper understanding of the essential role healthcare professionals play in our communities.
5-6 Kid’s Club Academy
For students in 5th grade and 6th grade
My KD Career Guide
The Kid’s Club Academy is designed to inspire students about careers in healthcare. Built with teachers in mind, this program provides tools for students to enhance career awareness and exploration and can be seamlessly integrated into your classroom curriculum to support career investigation. This initiative includes a narrated video that provides students with an overview of healthcare careers and an accompanying workbook to explore roles and responsibilities.
How to Get Started:- Apply to the program to receive our video and workbook.
- Plan Your Lesson: Integrate career exploration into your instruction.
- Upon completion, meet with a UK King’s Daughters team member to discuss more.
Super STEMM Schools
The Workforce Institute team will assist in sponsoring or supporting healthcare STEMM projects that align with core content during the standard school year. Students who complete the program will be invited to attend a summer trip after 5th grade to UK King’s Daughters for the Kentucky Science Center’s mobile STEMM camp.
Bright Future Writing Contest (6th Grade Students)
"A Bright Future in Health Care: How Will You Make a Difference?"Healthcare is an exciting and important field that helps people stay healthy, recover from illness/injury, and live their best lives. This writing contest prompts students to imagine working in a healthcare role one day, with the assignment to write a story about the healthcare career that interests them the most.
This is an opportunity for students to BE CREATIVE! Encourage your students to let their imagination shine as they explore the amazing possibilities in healthcare. They’ll describe a day in their future job, explain how they got interested in this career, or share how they plan to make the world a healthier place.
Stories should be 1-2 pages long and include:- A clear introduction where you name the healthcare job you chose.
- What the job entails.
- Details about why you chose it and what you like about it.
- Examples of how you will help others.
- A conclusion about why you think this career is important.
Submissions will be assessed and awarded, and all participants will receive a pair of sunglasses. One winner from each school will have the opportunity to share a lunch with a professional from their chosen area of interest.
7-8 Job Jumpstart
For students in 7th grade and 8th grade
My KD Career Day
On weekday mornings (by appointment), faculty from local colleges that offer healthcare career education pathways can visit students with hands-on activities from a list of specific areas. A healthcare professional or college representative will be onsite to share their personal experiences with the students, along with a hands-on activity. For more information, contact Mandy Medinger at mandy.medinger@kdmc.kdhs.us.
Healthcare Connection
Instructors who teach 8th grade courses can schedule a UK KD team member to come to their classrooms and speak to students. This is an informational, general discussion about different areas and careers that are available within the health system. For more information, contact Mandy Medinger at mandy.medinger@kdmc.kdhs.us.
9-12 High School to Hired
For students from 9th grade through 12th grade
HOPE (Health Occupation and Profession Experience) Program
This in-person program is for eligible students in Boyd, Greenup, and Lawrence counties in Kentucky, and Lawrence County in Ohio. The HOPE Program provides in-depth experience for juniors, covering career details such as education, pay, and next steps, along with real-time experiences in healthcare roles. Students are immersed in actual care on the floors of our hospital alongside our UK KD team members who do the job every day.
HOPE to GO Program
HOPE to GO is a video production series of our extremely popular HOPE program made for schools to use directly in the classrooms of sophomore, junior and senior students. This program highlights impactful clinical positions, operations, and other information about King’s Daughters. Upon application, you will receive a high-quality video series to administer within your coursework as you see fit. This episodic series makes it easy for our educators to follow-up the video with in-class instruction suited to the learning objectives of their students.
Nursing Bootcamp Program
The UK King’s Daughters Nursing Boot Camp is designed to give students an opportunity to experience the nursing profession first-hand! Participants will explore various careers and specialties in nursing, learn about educational paths to nursing, and gain awareness of the academic, personal, and technical skills required to be a nurse. Participants will not provide patient care. Nursing Boot Camp is open to current high school juniors and seniors aged 16 and older. Parent(s) or legal guardian(s) must provide written consent for all participants under the age of 18. For more information or questions, please contact Sasha Riley, MSN, RN, at (606) 408-0102 or Sasha.Riley@kdmc.kdhs.us.
Volunteering: Experience Healthcare Over Time
Volunteering is a wonderful way to explore various areas of the hospital at your own pace while making a meaningful impact on the lives of patients and their families. Students aged 14 and older are eligible to apply, and no prior experience is required. All our volunteers need is a willingness to help and a desire to learn.
- Flexible Commitment: Volunteer weekly or monthly to fit your schedule.
- Broaden Your Perspective: Gain exposure to different departments, from patient care to support services and beyond.
- Make a Difference: Provide invaluable support to staff, patients, and visitors.
To learn more and sign up, click here.
Shadowing: A Day in the Life of a Healthcare Professional
Job shadowing provides a focused, up-close look at a specific role within UK King’s Daughters. Perfect for those considering a career in healthcare, this opportunity is available for high school and college students. Our shadowing experience allows students to observe and ask questions as professionals go about their day.
- Hands-On Insights: Spend a day or part of a day observing a healthcare professional in action.
- Tailored Experience: Choose from almost any healthcare role.
- Ask Questions: Learn about the responsibilities, challenges, and rewards of specific healthcare careers.
Opportunities are offered based on availability and scheduling with professionals. For more information, contact Brittney Thomas at Brittney.Thomas@kdmc.kdhs.us.
Your Future Starts Now
Training and resources for college-aged students and beyond
Internships: Jumpstart Your Career in Healthcare
For students ready to experience a deeper dive, our internships offer structured, hands-on experiences in a specific area of interest. These programs are ideal for those pursuing academic or career-related goals in healthcare. Internships are available for college students or recent graduates looking for career-aligned experiences.
- Gain Real-world Experience: Work alongside seasoned professionals on meaningful projects.
- Enhance Your Skills: Build knowledge and skills in a supportive environment.
- Build Connections: Network with healthcare professionals who can mentor you and guide your career.
To learn more, visit our career website at www.mykdcareer.com.
FYI Program
Science educators in college and technical schools (Undecided or 100-Level) can apply for a visit from our team to discuss healthcare guidance and opportunities directly in the classroom. Let us show you the many different options in a less formal, real-time format. For more information, contact Mandy Medinger at mandy.medinger@kdmc.kdhs.us
One Stop Nursing Shop – Upcoming Events
Heartbeat to Healthcare: A Live Surgery Experience
If you’re interested in a career in surgery, we invite you to join us for an extraordinary educational experience brought to you by the Kentucky Science Center! This unique event offers students an up-close and personal view of careers in medicine, healthy living, and human physiology. This engaging session will inspire participants by providing a glimpse into the world of healthcare and the critical roles that professionals play in saving lives every day.
Participants will witness a real-time heart surgery streamed directly to our Pavilion Auditorium, complete with expert narration explaining the procedure and dialogue that highlights diverse healthcare careers. Eligible attendees include students from our workforce programs, UK KD team members, and allied educational partners, for a collaborative and impactful learning environment. Don’t miss this opportunity to ignite your curiosity and get a first-hand look at the exciting possibilities in medicine! Seats are limited, so inquire today.
Educator of the Year Banquet
The UK KD team celebrates excellence in education and collaboration at our Annual Educator of the Year Banquet! Each year, we honor an exceptional educator who has demonstrated unwavering dedication to their students and effective partnership with UK King’s Daughters to inspire healthcare career exploration across the region.
In addition to the Educator of the Year, we will recognize standout individuals both within and beyond our organization, including:
- Teachers who make an impact
- High school, middle school, and elementary school students
- College and technical school students
- Team members actively pursuing education
- Team members who also serve as educators in our local colleges and universities
This inspiring event highlights the remarkable achievements of our community’s learners and educators, offering their stories as powerful examples of perseverance, collaboration, and success. To nominate an Educator of the Year, contact Mandy Medinger at mandy.medinger@kdmc.kdhs.us.
Career Compass Guidebook
Wouldn’t choosing a career be easier with a manual? We’ve created just that. Click below for our healthcare career guidebook to help you navigate education, training, financial assistance, incentives, and beyond. Find your way today!
Download the Guidebook
