The entire medical academy is under new management, and it is changing the course of students’ careers.
Laura Sollenberger, former Medical Academy director and Health Occupations Students of America organizer, recently retired from her position this past May. Students immediately felt the loss when they returned to the hurricane campus last week, but luckily are joined by Dr. Zerbonia and returning Coach Lansky to follow in Sollenberger’s footsteps.
Dr. Zerbonia is teaching freshman medical skills, junior health foundations, and senior allied health assisting and serving as academy director and HOSA sponsor. Although he is a fresh face to the school, he is no stranger to the medical field. Zerbonia has 20 years of experience in home health care as an administering clinician and physical therapist, making him more than qualified to cover the academy’s coursework.
The program changes most directly affect seniors’ tracks, as they were previously offered multiple classes which would allow them to gain critical experience in the field of their choice. Consequently, this opens up the door to job opportunities with certifications to add to their resume. These include Nursing Assistant, EKG Aide, and Certified Medical Administrative Assistant, and Emergency Responder (no certificate). Some may argue prospective CNA students are facing the costs most head on; there is much to be said about the class’s benefits. A CNA position is versatile and in high demand in Bradenton and across the country. It gives credibility for nursing schools applications which are notoriously competitive. Manatee Memorial Hospital’s education department suffers, too, as they in recent years have taken in students graduating from the CNA program.
With rising annual costs in post-secondary education, a job following high school graduation becomes more practical and accessible by the year. More teenagers are forced to decide whether to invest in school in the short-term, long-term, or not at all. Relying on scholarships is not a guaranteed method for affordability as those become more competitive, too.
There are certainly positives to be said about the turn of plans: a new program is being offered for a period of seniors known as Exercise Sports Medicine. Topics covered include introductory exercise physiology, personal training business study, and kinesiology. A personal trainer certification will possibly be offered at the end of the academic year.
Despite class cuts and educator changes, the Medical Academy will continue to thrive, and plenty of exciting new things are in the works according to Dr. Zerbonia. If you are looking to be a part of the new era, students in and outside of the academy are more than welcome to join Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) club which meets every Wednesday beginning this week, August 21st in Dr. Zerbonia’s room (2-205).