As northern Minnesota faces a growing healthcare workforce shortage, Scrubs Camp aims to inspire the next generation of medical professionals. On July 17, the Ely Scrubs Camp introduced middle school students to healthcare careers through interactive workshops, facility tours, and mentorship opportunities.
Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital, with support from Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging, Minnesota North College, True North Stars Perkins Consortium, Department of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation and Wilderness Health, is filling a gap in career education for middle school students.
“As an organization, EBCH believes in the power of ‘grow your own’ programs to help build a strong, local healthcare workforce. A middle school Scrubs Camp is all about giving kids a chance to see what a future in healthcare could look like. We know that when young people connect with mentors early, it can spark something big—for them, the future EBCH, and the communities we serve,” said Patti Banks, CEO, Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital.
With an aging population, rural communities are struggling to meet the needs of the increasing healthcare demands.
By helping students discover careers in nursing, surgery, imaging, physical therapy, chiropractic, pharmacy and veterinary Scrubs Camp provides a proactive solution.
Scrubs Camp is an important opportunity for Northern Minnesota. Not only does it address the healthcare workforce gap by inspiring local students to consider medical careers, but it also supports rural healthcare sustainability by encouraging students to stay local and serve their communities. Scrubs Camp provides hands-on learning with real healthcare professionals making medical career paths tangible and exciting.
Wilderness Health- a non-profit collaborative of independent providers working together to improve rural health care in Northeastern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Headquartered in Two Harbors since 2013, Wilderness Health aims to create a unified and supportive network for its members through its core values of collaboration, independence, networking, and quality.
