The North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA) partnered with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to host a statewide Virtual Healthcare Career Day, launched February 20. The program was designed to inspire middle and high school students across North Carolina to explore careers in healthcare and discover the many pathways available to them.

“Healthcare workers are the heartbeat of communities across North Carolina, and the future of this field depends on the next generation,” said NCHA President and CEO Josh Dobson. “In healthcare, caring becomes a career — and that career can change lives, including your own.”

The program spotlighted a range of in-demand healthcare careers, including speech-language pathology, mental health therapy, human resources, and phlebotomy. Nearly 90 teachers registered their classrooms, reaching more than 3,500 students statewide. Participants viewed videos featuring North Carolina healthcare professionals who shared what a day in their role looks like and answered questions about education, training, and career pathways.

“There are so many opportunities in early education to gain hands-on experience in healthcare,” said Trey Michael, senior director of the Office of Career and Technical Education. “Pursuing a healthcare-focused educational pathway is a great way to get a head start on a career caring for others.”

The full program is available at IDoCareNC.org and on YouTube, allowing students to explore content at their convenience. The resource is open to public, private, and homeschool students, as well as adult learners interested in entering the healthcare field. IDoCareNC.org also provides additional tools, including healthcare career profiles, hospital teen programs, and other career exploration resources.

NCHA extends its sincere appreciation to the following partners for generously sharing their time and expertise to support Virtual Healthcare Career Day and help inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals:

• American Academy of Pediatrics

• Atrium Health, part of Advocate Health

• Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, part of Advocate Health

• CarolinaEast Health System

• Clean Advertising and Design

• College for North Carolina (CFNC)

• ECU Health College of Nursing

• Frye Regional Medical Center, A Duke LifePoint Hospital

• Harris Regional Hospital, A Duke LifePoint Hospital

• Haywood Regional Medical Center, A Duke LifePoint Hospital

• HOSA North Carolina

• Mission Health

• NC Careers

• NC Central University Department of Nursing

• North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

• Office of Gov. Josh Stein

• Rep. Tim Reeder

• Sen. Gale Adcock

• UNCG School of Nursing

• UNC Health Southeastern

• UNCW School of Nursing