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By Lindsey Hilty, Staff Writer 2:14 PM Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Fairfield High School senior Morgan Taylor already knows her career plans after she graduates this year.

Her experience in the Green Tree Health Science Academy through Butler Tech has exposed her to an overview of health care fields.

“Coming here, I get a head start anywhere in the health care field,” she said. “Whether it be paramedics, in a nursing home or a hospital setting.”

A teacher who was a former female fire fighter got Taylor involved in the Fairfield Twp. fire fighter Explorers program, and Taylor said that has helped her learn how much she wants to be a fire fighter emergency responder.

“The teachers here are so much more interested in you not only as a student, but as a person,” she said.

All students in the program have the opportunity to graduate with up to 21 college credits, certification in emergency medical responses, a nurses aide license and experience in exercise science, dental assisting, practical nursing, medical terminology, medical assisting, emergency medical technology and health information management.

Principal Lisa Tuttle-Huff said the program allows students interested in the health care field to narrow their choices by the time they graduate.

About 245 students participate in the program, which typically requires a 95 percent attendance rate and 2.0 grade point average to be accepted, and she said that still leaves a substantial waiting list. Students may take advance placement courses online, and the school offers college credit courses including higher math and science courses.

Some of her students work in nursing homes and doctors offices after school and during the summer. Others participate in hospital internships.

Nearly all leave with a career goal in mind.

“Our kids want to be here and want to learn,” she said. “They want to succeed.”

Hamilton senior Heather Deaton, who open-enrolled in the program, said she wants to be an EMT.

“I’ve always wanted to do something associated with helping people,” she said.

Although she had no health education background, she said the individual assistance she got helped her get her feet wet and eventually thrive in the program. When she graduates, she said she will continue with Butler Tech’s adult education program to get her certification as an EMT within six months.

“I just want to be there if someone’s hurt, and just to be able to say ‘I’m here; it’s going to be OK’ and get them where they need to be,” she said.

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