Oklahoma students who are curious about a future in medicine can get a real look at the field next month without leaving their desks. The Oklahoma Hospital Association is hosting its free Explore Healthcare virtual career expo on Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and registration is open for teachers across the state.
The event is built for middle school, high school and post-secondary students and covers far more ground than the usual doctor-and-nurse conversation. Sessions will spotlight nursing, emergency medicine, medical imaging, surgical technology, mental health counseling, nutrition and health care administration. Each career features a five- to 10-minute video followed by a live Q&A, so students can ask professionals what the job is actually like. Organizers run the expo alongside Oklahoma CareerTech and HOSA-Future Health Professionals.
The stakes are bigger than one career day. Oklahoma has faced persistent health care workforce shortages, and rural communities feel that pressure most. Last year’s inaugural expo drew more than 1,500 students, and organizers expect that number to grow. With no cost, no travel and a four-hour window, it’s one of the easier ways for a teacher to introduce students to careers they may never have considered. Registration is available at www.okoha.com/HealthcareCareerExpo. Which health care career do you wish someone had told you about when you were in school? Let us know.
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
