School Visits by Henry Ford Team
Phase 1: Outreach Visits
Phase 1 of the Henry Ford Health High School Mentorship Program is designed to spark curiosity, expand awareness, and help students begin to envision themselves in healthcare careers. Through direct engagement with schools and communities across Southeast Michigan, this phase introduces students to real people, real pathways, and real possibilities in healthcare.
Phase 1 is about visibility and access — ensuring students can see what healthcare careers look like and understand that those paths are attainable for them.
Bringing Healthcare Careers Directly to Students
Program leadership and healthcare professionals visit high schools to meet students where they are, both in person and virtually. These outreach visits are tailored to students, educators, and school administrators and are designed to be engaging, accessible, and inspiring.
During these sessions, students are introduced to:
- A wide range of healthcare careers, including medicine, surgery, nursing, research, healthcare administration, and related fields
- The educational journey from high school to college and professional training
- What daily life looks like for healthcare professionals at different career stages
By hearing directly from physicians and healthcare leaders, students gain a clearer understanding of how academic interests, perseverance, and mentorship translate into long-term career opportunities.
Role Models, Representation, and Real Stories
A defining feature of Phase 1 is exposure to role models. Students hear firsthand stories from healthcare professionals who share their own educational journeys, challenges, and successes. These personal narratives help demystify the path to healthcare careers and reinforce the program’s guiding message:
“If you can see it, you can be it.”
By emphasizing representation and authenticity, Outreach Visits help students:
- See people in healthcare roles they can relate to
- Recognize that success is possible regardless of background
- Begin imagining themselves in professional healthcare environments
A Gateway to the Full Mentorship Experience
Outreach visits serve as an entry point into the broader Henry Ford Health High School Mentorship Program. Students who participate in outreach sessions are encouraged to explore continued engagement through:
- Saturday Simulations (Phase 2)
- The paid summer internship program (Phase 3)
Even for students who do not advance to later phases, Outreach Visits provide valuable exposure, inspiration, and information that can influence future academic and career decisions.
If you are interested in hosting an Outreach Visit at your school or educational organization, email iokerek1@hfhs.org.