Starting in Aug. 2014, BHS students will have the opportunity to enroll in a Medical Academy implemented by University Hospitals (UH) and the Beachwood Schools. This program will prepare students for college and careers in medicine.

“Next year’s freshmen will be the first class of students who can take advantage of the full four years of opportunities, but older students can join to the degree that they are able by participating in courses, summer learning opportunities, and internships,” Superintendent Dr. Richard Markwardt wrote in an email. “The program will not be exclusively for students who want to become doctors. Others seeking professional careers in the medical field as researchers, administrators, physicians’ assistants, etc. may also participate.”

According to Beachwood Schools’ Director of Marketing and Development Doug Levin, administrators wanted to give students more opportunities, but also benefit employers.

“We’re opening doors with the business community that create resources for teachers and opportunities for students, and at the same time, provide value back to the businesses that support us,” he wrote in an email.

According to UH’s Vice President of Corporate Health, PJ Hrehocik, students will learn about basic medical terminology in the new program.

“[Students graduating] would have a knowledge level of basic hospital administration,” she said.

“[This includes] basic medical terminology and health care terminology. They [will also] understand the Affordable Care Act. Health care is changing [and] we want to make sure the kids understand that,” Hrehocik said.

The curriculum, which will be determined by Beachwood staff and UH officials, is going to prepare students for whatever medical career they choose.

“Students will have the opportunity to be immersed in a hospital setting during their internships and summer experiences,” Markwardt wrote. “They will [gain] a strong academic background and an understanding of medical terminology that will serve them well in their college studies.”

Markwardt also warned, “Students will need to commit to a rigorous science and math sequence and will need to be willing to study and or attend seminars and courses during the summer.”

Hrehocik hopes that the program will not be entirely teacher-centered.

“We hope it to be [hands on], really both lecture and hands on,” she said.

Students will not be in a traditional classroom. They will either be in the Ahuja Medical Center on Richmond Road or in UH’s main campus downtown.

Nonetheless, students in the program will still have certain requirements at BHS. “Students will take traditional HS math and science offerings at BHS and will also have internship opportunities, seminars and electives (via blended and credit flex courses) hosted by UH medical personnel,” Markwardt added.

Hrehocik says UH wants to prepare students for the real world, Levin agrees.

“These are opportunities for the business community to shape the kind of instruction students receive and the skills students need to develop in order to succeed in the workforce,” Levin wrote in an e-mail.

Some freshmen have shown excitement about this program. Freshmen are the only grade currently at BHS that will be able to participate.

“I want to become either a neuro, cardio or pediatric surgeon. I would take [advantage of] this program,” freshman Swathi Srinivasin said.

“I think it is interesting because it hasn’t been offered here before,” freshman Mukul Govande said. “It’s the only program like this, and it gives us a more successful chance at becoming doctors.”