On April 14, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital (USC-VHH) welcomed 40 high school students from five local schools for its annual Healthcare Day of Discovery, an immersive program designed to introduce students to careers in health care. 

Participating schools included AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, Glendale High School, La Cañada High School and St. Francis High School.

The immersive experience included expert-led panels featuring USC-VHH professionals from across hospital departments. Students heard from clinicians and staff in nursing, physician practice and hospital administration, as well as specialists in imaging, laboratory services, nutrition and more highlighting the wide range of roles and the collaboration required to deliver safe and effective care.

Throughout the day, students participated in activities including safe patient handling and mobility techniques using a mechanical lift, preparing a sterile intravenous (IV) drip, Narcan® administration training and stroke education and performing CPR with a live demonstration from the Glendale Fire Dept. Students also participated in a forensics demonstration led by the Glendale Police Dept., highlighting careers in public safety and emergency response.

The hands-on sessions gave students a direct look at the skills, teamwork and decision-making involved in real-world health care and public safety environments.

“This event helped me see the many different paths available in healthcare,” said Anais Soukiasian, an 11th grader at AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School. “As I start thinking about college and my future, it’s been helpful to learn firsthand. It also showed me that in a hospital, there are so many people from different areas working together toward a common goal of helping others, which I find really inspiring.”

Healthcare Day of Discovery is part of USC-VHH’s ongoing commitment to providing meaningful learning opportunities for students and strengthening its connection to the community.

“Our event has become a meaningful tradition at USC-VHH, and each year we continue to welcome students into the hospital to experience the possibilities of a career in health care,” said Armand Dorian, MD, MMM, CEO of USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. “We’re proud that this program has grown into an ongoing part of how we engage with students, giving them direct exposure to clinical environments and the opportunity to learn alongside our care teams.”