Mississippi High Schoolers Get Hands-On in Healthcare Careers 

04/04/2025

CLARKSDALE, Miss. – In the heart of the Mississippi Delta, a workforce development initiative is helping high school students chart meaningful paths toward careers in healthcare.

A new program launched by the Clarksdale Municipal School District and Coahoma County School District in partnership with Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center is giving students real-world experience in hospital departments ranging from radiology to administration. The program was developed through a collaboration with the South Delta Planning and Development District and Accelerate Mississippi. 

Twenty students spend three days a week at the hospital, rotating between departments and learning alongside professionals. It’s a powerful opportunity for students in one of the state’s most underserved areas to gain exposure, mentorship, and hands-on training. 

“This partnership in Clarksdale is a powerful example of what happens when we invest in students early—giving them not just a glimpse into the professional world, but a real opportunity to see themselves in it,” said Jennifer Levingston, Coordinator at AccelerateMS.

For Clarksdale High junior Jeremy Franklin, the decision to join the program was driven by family inspiration and curiosity.  

“Most men are not typically in the healthcare field, so when I was granted this opportunity, I took it,” Franklin said. His mother works in healthcare, and now he finds himself deeply invested in radiology. “I’ve learned how to set up the x-ray machine, how to put work into the computer—everything hands-on. This opened a very big door for me.” 

His classmate, junior Zoey Ratliff, has her sights set on administration and pediatrics.  

“Being here definitely changed my perspective,” Ratliff shared. “It helped me open my eyes and explore all the options I have.” 

Aubree McIver, an 11th grader from Coahoma County High School, discovered her calling during the program. “I watched several surgeries since I’ve been here,” she said. “I didn’t know what field I wanted to be in, but now I do—anesthesia,” she said. “Every week they let us do something new. It helped me experience all of the fields and decide what I actually want to do.” 

Kenneth Gines, Career Coach Coordinator with the South Delta Planning and Development District, emphasized the importance of exposing students to careers, not just jobs.  

“We don’t deal with jobs—we deal with careers,” Gines said. “Hospitals have departments like dietary, physical plant, administration—real career opportunities that students may not even know exist.” 

Clarksdale Superintendent Toya Harrell Matthews sees the initiative as a game-changer for the region.  

“The Mississippi Delta is one of the poorest areas in the state. Opportunities don’t just happen like this,” she said. “So, when they come, we want to take advantage of them.” 

Students were selected based on both their interest in healthcare and their class schedules. Matthews said the excitement has been palpable: “I’ve been at the high school when they’re getting ready to load the bus. They absolutely love it. I think it’s going to be a hard task to tell them they can’t stay for the rest of their high school careers.” 

Dr. Virginia Young, superintendent of Coahoma County School District, echoed the value of the program. “We all agreed that it is an excellent, awesome opportunity for our students to be able to come here and be able to just interact with the professionals,” she said. 

Dr. Young emphasized that the program fills a critical gap in the community. “We don’t have anything going on like this with any organization or business. This is unique,” she said. “If the hospital is willing, we are definitely willing to supply the students.” 

At the hospital, the program has been equally transformative. CEO Lorie Till initially expected the students to observe quietly. Instead, they became active contributors. “One student is already researching projects for me,” she said. “They’ve brought so much energy. It’s been a cultural shift even for our managers—now they’re excited too.” 

With plans already underway to expand into other sectors like welding and skilled trades, this workforce development program is proving that when given the chance, Mississippi students are ready to rise to the occasion—and beyond. 

AccelerateMS serves the people and businesses of Mississippi by developing and deploying workforce strategies to connect individuals with transformative, high-paying careers. By leveraging resources and partnering with organizations that hold complementary missions, AccelerateMS effectuates positive change, creating sustained individual, community and statewide economic prosperity.