Submitted photo The 2023 Spring Semester Davis Academy interns include, from left, Anlyne Wamsley, Amayah Young, Carmen Donnelly, Saniya Taylor, Jasmine Mallow, Joley Stemple, Kenzie Phillips, Lydia Blackburn, Ian James, Celia Ricottilli, Clay Young, Autumn Lane, Emerson Haddix, Niya Nutter, Gewn Riffle, Kaelyn Cogar, Academy Director Chad Ware and Gracelin Corley.

ELKINS — A group of Career & Work Skills Training (CWST) students from the Randolph Technical Center began their spring rotations through the Davis Medical Center “Davis Academy.”

They will spend the semester exploring healthcare careers by engaging in instructional rotations throughout the hospital.

The rotations consist of the Lab, Radiology, Maintenance, Nursing, Physician Practices, Emergency Department and Registration.

Chad Ware, director of the Davis Academy, said, “We are excited to partner with the Technical Center. The experience these students will gain through our program is invaluable, as they will get an in depth look into the world of healthcare.”

He added, “To be on the frontline of what happens on a day to day basis is the greatest teacher these students can have.”

The students, who work with a mentor in each of their rotations, receive a wide range of hands on tasks and education. They complete competency checklists, and get the opportunity for face-to-face, patient interaction.

Nicole McKisic, CWST Instructor and CTE Coordinator for the Randolph Technical Center, said, “Our mission is to provide students with the employability skills and work ethic necessary to become a valuable asset in the workplace. Davis Medical Center is helping us achieve that vision by opening their doors for our students to gain on-the-job experience while shadowing at an actual worksite related to their anticipated field of study.

“We cannot thank Chad Ware, Cynthia Markley and the entire Davis Medical Center staff enough for partnering with our CWST program to make this opportunity possible!”

The Academy also offers a rotation for full-time, paid interns. This six-month track includes similar rotations through various clinical and non-clinical departments. To date, each full-time intern who completed a rotation gained employment at DMC, and are receiving assistance to further their education in a healthcare field. A new full-time track will begin in June.

Employees at the hospital have taken notice of the interns and have expressed positive comments about the program. Ware said, “Many people tell me they wish there would have been a program like the Academy when they were starting out. It creates a unique experience for anyone beginning a journey in a healthcare career.”

Ware acknowledged, “When the Davis Academy first started, we weren’t sure where the program would go, but we had a vision of what we wanted it to be, and now, that vision has expanded. It’s rewarding to be part of the Academy, I’m proud of its success. I can’t wait to see it continue to grow and evolve as we move into the future.”

For questions regarding the Davis Academy, please contact Chad Ware at 304-637-3378 or at warec@davishealthsystem.org. Information is also available on the website www.dhsacademy.com.