In some northern BC communities, where health services can sometimes be in short supply, 350 students have participated in Rotary's Adventures in Health Care and another 500 online throughout the province over the past seven years.
Adventures in Healthcare is a unique program designed to expose high school youth to post-secondary education pathways and career opportunities in health care—specifically in rural communities where medical professionals are critically needed.
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Adventures in Health Care began in Prince George with 24 participants as a single idea of the Rotary Club of Prince George Yellowhead to address rural healthcare challenges in the North. It has grown into a Rotary multi-club, multi-District movement. Over the past seven years the program has expanded from the Prince George Yellowhead Rotary club to four other Rotary clubs in Terrace, Dawson Creek,Fort St. John and Quesnel. Now 150 youth each year participate in the program across two Rotary Districts 5040 and 5370 in Northern BC. Another two clubs are expected to join the program in 2026.
The program, which complements a formal high school education, provides a youth-focused experience to create awareness of educational and career opportunities across the health care spectrum. It includes immersive, hands-on experiences such as simulation labs and mentorship sessions which provide valuable insights into the realities and rewards of health care.
Adventures in Health Care embodies the spirit of Rotary: service, leadership, and innovation. It fosters collaboration between Rotary clubs providing the program, educational institutions, and healthcare professionals to address the pressing issue of shortages in health care professionals and other workers in rural communities. Of the early cohort of 111 high school students who participated in the program between 2017 and 2019, 70 % have continued undergraduate studies in health sciences. As of the spring of 2024, over 50% of those cohorts have graduated with either a degree, diploma, or certificate and are working in their chosen field or are pursuing further health science opportunities.
Ron Davis, of the Rotary Club of Prince George, who is Chair of Rotary's Adventures in Health Care, says, "The program has provided a tangible connection between theory and real-world application, fostering a deeper engagement and motivation. Students participating in the program seem to become more driven to excel in their studies and complete their educational programs more efficiently. This underscores the importance of incorporating experiential learning opportunities, particularly in fields like healthcare, to optimize student learning outcomes and overall academic success."