Briar Woods and Tuscarora High Schools celebrated the official launch of their Health and Medical Sciences (HAMSci) academies with a White Coat Ceremony on August 15. The event, held at Briar Woods High School, honored the coating of 128 out of 148 White Coat Science Scholars. Those who were unable to attend will receive their white coats once the school year begins.
The White Coat ceremony marks the beginning of a significant journey for students entering the four-year HAMSci program, which is designed to prepare them for future careers in health care. The presentation of white coats serves as a visual symbol of students' readiness to meet the rigorous requirements of the program. It also signifies their commitment to demonstrating proficiency in health literacy—understanding and using information and services to make informed health-related decisions for themselves and others. This milestone paves the way for further postsecondary education or professional roles in the healthcare field.
“This was a significant event for our students, our division and the community,” said Chief Academic Officer Dr. Ashley Ellis. “After more than a year of planning, HAMSci’s launch not only engages students with unique and challenging learning opportunities but also sets them up for potential future careers in health care.”
HAMSci connects students’ interests with workforce needs. The academy is a unique and innovative program designed to prepare students for careers in the rapidly evolving fields of health and medical sciences. Its goal is to provide health science literacy, develop critical thinking skills, and offer opportunities for students to be well-prepared for in-demand healthcare careers, with the possibility of earning industry credentials. More than 750 students expressed interest in HAMSci.
Funding partners include the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, the Loudoun Education Foundation, Inova Health System, and Google. Together, they contributed $400,000 to bring the HAMSci academy to fruition.