More than 200 students from the Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers (EMK), a Boston public charter high school, met with healthcare professionals and educators from across Mass General Brigham (MGB) on Tuesday to explore career pathways, training opportunities, and the many ways they can build a future in healthcare.

The career fair, held at EMK, brought together representatives from Mass General Brigham hospitals, workforce development teams, Bullfinch Temporary Service, JVS Boston, and the MGH Institute of Health Professions. Participants met with students in small groups to discuss healthcare careers, educational pathways, and entry-level opportunities within the region’s largest healthcare system and the Commonwealth’s largest private employer.

Representing the MGH Institute’s academic programs and workforce education initiatives were Reamer Bushardt, PharmD, PA-C, DFAAPA, provost and vice president for academic affairs, and Lindsay Sundberg, regional and national account manager and director of academic partnerships. 

“Events like today’s career fair are incredibly powerful because they allow students to see firsthand the range of careers available in healthcare and how education can open doors to those opportunities,” said Bushardt. “At the MGH Institute, we are proud to work alongside Mass General Brigham and Boston Public Schools to help students imagine their futures in healthcare, to collaborate with their teachers in the classroom, and to provide clear educational pathways to get there.”

Building Healthcare Career Pathways

Students rotated through small group conversations with professionals representing different disciplines and departments across the Mass General Brigham system. Many discussions focused on career exploration, entry-level healthcare roles, and training opportunities that can lead to long-term professional advancement.

The event also connected students, families, and EMK alumni with resources including:

              •            Entry-level healthcare positions across Mass General Brigham

              •            Paid training and workforce development programs

              •            Summer youth employment opportunities

              •            Educational pathways through the MGH Institute and other programs

The MGH Institute also highlighted several ways students can make health professions education more accessible. EMK graduates are eligible for special scholarships through the Institute, and many Mass General Brigham employees benefit from the Tuition Reduction and Incentive Plan (TRIP), which provides significant tuition support for individuals from academic partners, like Boston Public Schools, who are pursuing healthcare degrees. The Institute also shared information about its Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-funded Behavioral Health Paraprofessional Training Program, which covers full tuition and provides stipends to trainees while preparing them for entry-level behavioral health roles linked to high-demand employment opportunities across Mass General Brigham.

“Students were deeply engaged and curious about everything from nursing to rehabilitation fields and healthcare administration,” said Sundberg. “The conversations showed just how eager they are to contribute to healthcare and how important it is that we continue to build strong pathways from high school into the health professions.”

A Partnership Supporting Boston’s Future Workforce

The career fair is part of a broader collaboration supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, bringing together Mass General Brigham, the MGH Institute of Health Professions, the Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers, Boston Public Schools, and the City of Boston.

The initiative aims to strengthen healthcare career pathways for Boston students while helping address regional workforce needs across hospitals and health systems.

H. Kay Howard, who leads the Bloomberg Philanthropies-supported partnership with Edward M Kennedy Academy for Health Careers at Mass General Brigham, emphasized the importance of early engagement.

“Students at EMK are already building strong healthcare skills and certifications,” Howard said. “Our partnership ensures they have access to mentorship, real-world exposure, and clear pathways into meaningful healthcare careers with opportunities for growth

The program also works closely with Boston Public Schools leadership to align career exploration and training opportunities with students’ educational experiences.

“This collaboration gives our students direct access to leaders and professionals who can help them envision their future in healthcare,” said Dr. Jennifer Smith, who oversees Career and Technical Education initiatives connected to EMK. “It demonstrates what’s possible when education systems, health systems, and community partners work together.”

Pathways for the Next Generation of Healthcare Leaders

For the MGH Institute of Health Professions, participation in the event reflects its mission as the degree-granting academic institution of Mass General Brigham, preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals through innovative education and strong partnerships with clinical organizations.

By connecting early with high school students interested in healthcare careers, the Institute helps ensure that Boston’s future workforce reflects the communities it serves.

“As healthcare evolves, we need talented and compassionate professionals from a broad range of backgrounds to meet the needs of our communities,” concluded Bushardt, who also serves as the health system’s director of curriculum and evaluation for the initiative. “Working with students at EMK helps us cultivate that next generation and show them that meaningful careers in healthcare are within reach.”