In class, students might use newspaper articles to discuss current trends in the field, or write an essay about their shadowing experiences. Therese Letourneau, coordinator of the Medical Academy at New Smyrna Beach High, has been with the program since it started more than a decade ago. Letourneau is part of a team of teachers, which includes two licensed nurses, who meet daily to assess the program and ensure that their students' field experiences are valid. They stay in close touch with all of their students as well. Only about 10 percent of the high school's 2,000 students are allowed to enroll in the Medical Academy to make sure each student's needs are met.
Parents also have opportunities to get involved.
Tours of Bert Fish and other health care facilities are offered, so parents can get a taste of what their children might experience. The Medical Academy frequently arranges for professionals to speak on related topics, and families are encouraged to attend with the students. Those actions have so far caused the center to win four separate achievement awards in recognition of its efforts. The program's success can be measured in a number of other ways. For example, many university applicants from the Medical Academy find that their shadowing experiences give them an edge over other applicants.