Pennsylvania Health Careers Week Spotlights In-Demand Occupations

Student Health Care Hero Award Winners Saluted at Kickoff Event

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Young people from across the state are talking to students and industry professionals about career opportunities in health care during today's Pennsylvania Health Careers Week kickoff event.

In its sixth year, the statewide celebration highlights in-demand careers and gives secondary school students the opportunity to explore hands-on health career exhibits, talk with industry professionals and learn from students who are already seeking careers in health care.

Careers in the spotlight this year include: dental hygienist, medical assistant, medical and clinical laboratory technician, medical and clinical laboratory technologist, licensed practical and vocational nurse, nursing aide, orderly and attendant, medical transcriptionist, pharmacy technician, registered nurse, respiratory therapist, radiologic technologist and technician, and medical secretary.

During the Pennsylvania Health Careers Week kickoff event at Zembo Shrine Center in Harrisburg, Boaz Parker, a junior at Edward Bok Technical High School in Philadelphia, was recognized by David Ranck, director of the Pennsylvania Center for Health Careers, as the statewide winner of the 2010 Student Health Care Hero Award. Four regional finalists were also recognized at the event.

For the past seven years, Parker has helped organize Senior Saturdays at his church, providing free health screenings performed by physician's assistant students. Last year, Parker held a successful Haitian Relief Fund drive and is planning another this year. He is also organizing an anti-smoking assembly program at his school.

Pennsylvania Health Careers Week is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Center for Health Careers in cooperation with more than 40 public and private government, education and health care industry organizations.

For more information on health careers in Pennsylvania, visit www.paworkforce.state.pa.us, click "A to Z Link List," then click "Center for Health Careers," and "Health Careers Week" in the left navigation area.

Media contact: Sarah Cassin, L&I; 717-787-1323

Editor's Note: A list of the 2010 Student Health Care Hero Award winners follows:

State winner and Southeast Region winner, representing the Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board: Boaz Parker, Edward Bok Technical High School, Philadelphia.

Northwest Region winner, representing the Northwest Workforce Investment Area: Brady Keister, Eisenhower Middle High School, Russell, Warren County.

Northeast Region winner, representing the Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board: Samuel Tate, Southern Lehigh High School, Coopersburg, Lehigh County.

Central Region winner, representing the South Central Workforce Investment Board: Aaisha Shah, Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County.

Southwest winner, representing the Southern Alleghenies Workforce Investment Board: Zeke Feyock, Windber Area High School, Windber, Somerset County, and Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center, Johnstown, Cambria County.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry