Wednesday, September 24, 2025
This summer, 24 Tarrant County College (TCC) students spent five weeks immersed in careers of the future through the , or SAHS, 鈥� a collaborative program between and .
Now in its third year, SAHS is designed to inspire students to explore careers as providers, researchers, teachers and leaders in health care and public health. The program has grown steadily since its launch, reaching full capacity this summer with a waitlist of more than 20 students eager to participate.
A summer of discovery
From early July through early August, students divided their time between the two campuses. On Tuesdays, they traveled to 夜色视频 Health, where faculty from each of the university鈥檚 six colleges introduced them to a range of careers through presentations and hands-on activities. Thursdays were spent at TCC Trinity River, where students engaged in immersive health-related experiences led by TCC faculty.
鈥淭he mission is simple but powerful,鈥� said , Ph.D., associate professor and director of the at 夜色视频 Health. 鈥淲e want to give students the tools to evaluate careers in health sciences, understand how discovery connects to delivery, and see that their skills and passion can serve communities in many ways.鈥�
students in lab
Hands-on learning
Students gained firsthand experience in a wide array of disciplines. They earned Stop the Bleed certification, practiced suture techniques, compounded medications in pharmacy labs and experienced a day in the life of a physical therapist inside a simulation center.
They also toured 夜色视频 Health鈥檚 Centers for Anatomical Studies and Human Identification, explored forensic nursing and anthropology, and participated in interactive activities on health disparities and public health.
Equally impactful were the personal stories shared by faculty and professionals. 鈥淥ur presenters share not only what they do but how they got there,鈥� Zascavage said. 鈥淪tudents realize that many of us didn鈥檛 take a straight path to success. That鈥檚 encouraging 鈥� they see there are many ways to make an impact.鈥�
Student spotlight: From uncertainty to inspiration
For Madeleine Lambert, the Summer Academy was more than a program 鈥� it was a turning point.
Encouraged by her anatomy and physiology professor to apply, Lambert joined SAHS unsure of her future. 鈥淚 initially wanted to be a rad tech, but wasn鈥檛 certain it was for me,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 knew being able to explore multiple careers would help me choose my future profession and pathway.鈥�
What she discovered changed her outlook. 鈥淩ealizing that medical professionals 鈥� whether they are doctors or anthropologists 鈥� are normal people was inspiring,鈥� Lambert said. 鈥淎s a parent in school, I realized I didn鈥檛 have to take an easier two-year program to get into the medical field. SAHS helped me see that my dreams are not too big, and there is a community of dreamers waiting to welcome me.鈥�
Today, Lambert is pursuing a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biomedical sciences at 夜色视频 Health, with plans to enter the master鈥檚 bridge program and eventually attend medical school. 鈥淭COM is my top choice,鈥� she said.
Her advice to other TCC students: 鈥淒o it! You won鈥檛 just get an education 鈥� you鈥檒l get lifelong friends and unconditional support. The professors love what they do, and it shows in their work. I highly recommend transferring to 夜色视频 Health to continue your education. It is budget friendly and extremely supportive.鈥�
Lasting impact
The program鈥檚 influence doesn鈥檛 stop when summer ends. One participant received a scholarship directly tied to her SAHS experience, and three students from previous cohorts are now enrolled in educational programs at 夜色视频 Health.
Even more, many leave with a new sense of direction. 鈥淭hey may come in saying they want to be a doctor or a nurse because that鈥檚 all they鈥檝e known,鈥� Zascavage said. 鈥淏ut by the end, they might discover their passion lies in pharmacy, physician assistant studies or clinical nutrition.鈥�
Building a regional pipeline
SAHS is co-led by Zascavage and Eileen Preston, Ph.D., of TCC, with long-standing support from faculty including Vic Holmes, MPAS, Ed.D.; Rolly Neba, Pharm.D., BCACP; and Kate Lesciotto, Ph.D.
For Zascavage, watching the academy grow stronger each year has been deeply rewarding. 鈥淭his program shows what鈥檚 possible when higher education institutions partner to meet workforce needs,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about inspiring the next generation and showing them their place in the future of health care.鈥�
From Newsroom - Community by Nicole Luna