Inspiring Tomorrow’s Healthcare Professionals
Adventures in Healthcare (AiHC) is a three-day immersive program designed for Grade 10 and 11 students to explore a wide range of healthcare careers through hands-on learning, direct interaction with professionals, and real-world experiences.
Led by the Rotary Clubs of Terrace and Skeena Valley in partnership with School District 82, Northern Health, First Nations Health Authority, UNBC, and Coast Mountain College (CMTN), the program aims to inspire local students to pursue healthcare careers and stay within the region as future practitioners.
Program Highlights — May 13–15, 2025
A cohort of 41 students from schools across Northwest BC participated in this year's event, engaging in interactive activities across several medical and educational facilities in Terrace, including the new Ksyen Regional Hospital, CMTN, UNBC, and Cedar Coast Dental.
Day 1 – Skill Building & Team Connection
- Icebreakers to build comfort and connection
- Hands-on training in nursing and wet labs
- Vital signs monitoring, lab equipment use, and patient lifts
- Sessions in pharmacy, occupational therapy, and naloxone administration
- Social work discussions around youth-relevant issues
Day 2 – Hospital Simulation & Career Exploration
- Full day at Ksyen Regional Hospital
- Simulated baby delivery, CPR, respiratory therapy, wound care
- Diagnostic imaging with ultrasound, physiotherapy sessions
- Guest speakers: local physician and a third-year medical student shared personal career journeys
Day 3 – Dental & Paramedical Experience
- Dental procedures at Cedar Coast Dental (plaque removal, suturing turkey legs, anesthesia on oranges)
- Emergency response demonstration with paramedics
- Nursing simulations: CPR, baby care, and medical scenarios
- Social work presentation on racial equity and cultural healing practices
- Brain/pain physiology followed by sheep brain dissection
Program Goals
- Inspire youth to pursue healthcare careers
- Showcase local educational pathways in the Northwest
- Build early confidence through real-world, hands-on exposure
- Address the shortage of healthcare professionals in rural BC
Community-Driven Success
AiHC thrives thanks to strong collaboration and generous support from:
- Rotary Club of Terrace & Terrace Skeena Valley
- Northern Health, First Nations Health Authority
- UNBC, Coast Mountain College, CMSD-82
- Cedar Coast Dental, BC Nurses’ Union, LNG Canada, Rio Tinto
- Northwest Trades & Employment Training Centre (NTETC)
Special thanks to Cory Redl, Kim Hoekstra, and Dan Hamel for making student transportation, accommodations, and activities seamless.
"In just a few days, students gained not only knowledge but also confidence, clarity, and excitement about their future in healthcare."
Partnership Links:
Rotary's Adventures in Healthcare webpage: https://adventuresinhealthcare.com/
Northern Health AiHC Story webpage: https://stories.northernhealth.ca/stories/terrace-and-kitimat-students-explore-health-care-careers-collaborative-program
University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) webpage: https://www.unbc.ca/
Coast Mountain College website: https://coastmountaincollege.ca/
Coast Mountain School District 82 website: https://www.cmsd.bc.ca/