The School District of Palm Beach County, Florida - Other School Department Based Activities
Celebrating 10 Years Of Wellness
Career Academics
Biomedical and Medical Sciences Academies
The Biomedical and Medical Sciences Academies promote Healthy Lifestyles and Wellness in schools at the elementary, middle and high school levels. The academies offer an innovative, sequential, and integrated learning environment designed to provide students with an academic foundation in medical health sciences including medical research and the study of diseases and disorders such as childhood obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. The curriculum includes structure and function of the human body, occupational hazards, educational requirements, and information concerning the practices for promoting good health, and prevention of disease. It provides all students with a practical skill-based curriculum which teaches the medical skills and training necessary to become certified as a healthcare provider prior to high school graduation. Students may continue to post-secondary health science education, and/or transition into the healthcare workforce. With the demand and shortage in health care, students will have endless opportunities and high paying jobs in the medical field as they continue to pursue a professional degree.
The first Biomedical and Veterinary Technology Academy at Acreage Pines Elementary was opened in August of 2013 to spark an interest in young minds and prepare them to transition into middle school programs.
A second Biomedical and Veterinary Technology Academy was opened at Grassy Waters Elementary due to the increased interest in medical sciences which falls under STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
Starlight Cove Elementary Health & Wellness Academy with Specialization in Medical Sciences is the latest addition impacting grades K-5. This academy integrates health and wellness concepts with prevention of disease. It helps students develop life-long habits of health and fitness through healthy eating and exercise.
Due to the high demand and critical shortage areas in healthcare, the Biomedical and Medical Sciences Academies in Palm Beach County depend highly on the community and the healthcare workforce to be able to grow our own future healthcare providers. Good Samaritan Medical Center adopted Acreage Pines Elementary’s exploratory program for students in grades K-5 with a high interest in medical and veterinary sciences. St. Mary’s Medical Center partnered with Grassy Waters Elementary and adopted their program servicing students grades K-5. These outstanding partnerships and affiliations are making a big difference and a positive impact in our students’ education and in our communities.
Special topics include health and wellness, basic anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, prevention of disease, medical illustration, animal therapy, and robotic applications in healthcare and veterinary sciences. Good Samaritan Medical Center and St. Mary’s Medical Center have provided guest speakers, field trips to the hospital, medical equipment, supplies, and curriculum support for essential skills labs.
The Biomedical and Medical Sciences Academies in middle school follow an honors curriculum preparing students to be highly competitive in the medical field. Students take high school credit honor courses including Medical Skills & Services and Algebra 1. Students become certified in First Aid and CPR, in addition to completing a supervised medical internship. Biomedical and Medical Academy students in high school also follow an honors curriculum and may select their program of study leading to industry certifications and complete programs in the following pathways:
- Allied Health Assisting – Certified Administrative Medical Assistant
- Electrocardiograph Technician – Certified EKG Technician
- Emergency Medical Responder – Emergency Medical Responder and/or Technician (EMT)
- Health and Wellness – Certified Personal Trainer
- Health Unit Coordinator – Certified Health Unit Coordinator and Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist
- Home Health Aide – Certified Patient Care Technician and Certified Health Safety Assistant
- Medical Lab Assistant – Certified Phlebotomy Technician and/or Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
- Nursing Assistant – Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Patient Care Technician
- Pharmacy Technician – Certified Pharmacy Technician & Registered Pharmacy Technician
- Practical Nursing – Certified Nursing Assistant, Certified Patient Care Technician, and Licensed Practical Nurse
Students graduate from the Biomedical and Medical Academies College and Career Ready and as certified and/or licensed healthcare providers. Students may achieve multiple certifications allowing them to get an immediate job in the medical field.
Early Childhood Teacher Education Academies
The Pre-Teacher Academies introduce basic concepts of child growth, development and care, nutrition and wellness to the middle school students. Babysitting, first aid and CPR for infants and children are covered and many students earn certifications in these areas.
The Teacher and Early Childhood Education Teacher Academies at the high school level expand on these concepts, and train for a variety of careers in the Education and Training Career Cluster. Students complete course work and lab hours in neighboring childcare facilities, local elementary schools and the onsite preschools available at eight of the high school programs, earning an Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC), which is a Staff Credential with the Department of Children and Families (DCF).
Many students within this program continue on, becoming child psychologists, social workers, pediatricians, speech pathologists, and often return to the District as teachers. We do indeed “Grow Our Own!”
Culinary Arts Career Academies
The Culinary Arts middle school and high school academies provide the opportunity for students to train for a variety of careers within the Hospitality and Tourism Cluster.
Utilizing both academic and technical studies, students develop higher level knowledge and skill building proficiency by emphasizing safety and sanitation, workplace safety, nutrition, food production, and cost control.
Many of the middle school pre-academies and high school culinary arts academies believe in the “Garden to Table” concept, growing vegetables and herbs in school site gardens, allowing students to develop healthy menu collaboration, nutritional awareness in food preparation and personal wellness plans.
Students also have the opportunity to earn several industry certifications, such as ServSafe Food Manager’s Exam and the National Prostart Certificate of Achievement.
CBS Channel 12 Class Act Special highlights career academies throughout the School District of Palm Beach County. The following Biomedical and Medical Academies have received special attention:
Acreage Pines Elementary School Biomedical & Veterinary Technology Academy: Vodcast video
Lake Worth Middle School Biomedical Sciences Academy: Vodcast video
Omni Middle School Biomedical Health Informatics Academy: Vodcast video
John I. Leonard High School Medical Sciences Academy: Vodcast video
Royal Palm Beach High School Medical Sciences Academy: Vodcast video
Palm Beach County Medical Society produced a video about the advancements of medical education and the future of medicine in Palm Beach County.
Future of Medicine: Medical Education in Palm Beach County:
Heroes in Medicine:
Palm Beach County Medical Society honored the 2016 Heroes in Medicine Awards on April 15, 2016 at the Kravis Center’s Cohen Pavilion in West Palm Beach. The finalists representing Palm Beach County Schools for the Student Hero Award were Andrea Wilson from John I. Leonard High School Medical Sciences Academy and Wilgens Mistilien from Inlet Grove High School Medical Sciences Academy. They were both honored as 2016 Heroes in Medicine - Student Heroes.
Mrs. Marta Galvez, Career Academies Coordinator and Medical Teacher at Lake Worth Middle School Biomedical Sciences Academy was honored as a Health Care Educator Hero. Mrs. Galvez is the first Palm Beach County classroom teacher that has received this prestigious award from Palm Beach County Medical Society. She was nominated by her students, parents and her principal.
Marta Galvez is an extraordinary educator at Lake Worth Middle School FAU Biomedical Program that cares deeply about her students who plan to go into the world of health care services. As she is committed to ensuring that her students get the best possible medical education, she provides them with exceptional hands on experiences which have included field trips to FAU College of Medicine and access to the newest and latest technology. She has provided her students with opportunities to understand the real world of medicine as they explore a vast and diverse array of medical issues. From in depth human physiology classes, to practicing CPR lessons, to animal dissections, to understanding how hospitals function, Mrs. Galvez covers issues that provide a great and full understanding of the medical arena and world of health care services.
