NASHUA, N.H. — St. Joseph Hospital has been awarded funding through New Hampshire’s Rural Health Transformation (RHT) initiative to support the Health Careers Academy, a free summer program designed to introduce local high school students to careers in healthcare.
The funding is provided through the University System of New Hampshire (USNH) RHT HUB, which supports youth engagement programs that spark interest in healthcare and allied health professions among young people living in rural communities. The initiative aims to build a strong pipeline of future healthcare professionals by engaging students in career exploration and educational pathways beginning in high school.
The Health Careers Academy at St. Joseph Hospital is a hands-on, week-long summer program that gives students the opportunity to explore a wide range of medical and hospital-based professions through interactive experiences, demonstrations, and engagement with healthcare professionals. The academy received a record 60 applications this year, demonstrating strong interest among local students in exploring healthcare careers. Students selected for the 2026 class will receive admission notifications soon.
The 2026 program will be held July 13 – 17 in Nashua and is open to rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 14 years old.
“Programs like the Health Careers Academy help students discover meaningful career opportunities in healthcare while strengthening the future workforce our communities depend on,” said Kerry Ann Hayon, Vice President of Operations, Clinical & Support Services at St. Joseph Hospital. “We are grateful for this funding, which allows us to continue investing in the next generation of healthcare professionals.”
Through direct exposure to clinical and non-clinical healthcare careers, students gain valuable insight into the many pathways available within hospitals and healthcare organizations. The program aligns with broader workforce development efforts across New Hampshire to address healthcare staffing needs and encourage local students to pursue careers in health and allied health professions.
Grant Acknowledgement
These projects are supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $204,016,550.20 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
