Twelve local students recently completed the Plumas Health Careers Exploration Spring Institute (PHESI), concluding a semester of hands-on learning and career exploration in the healthcare field.
The PHESI program is part of the Career Technical Education (CTE) Patient Care Pathway and provides students with valuable insight into the diverse range of careers available within the healthcare industry. This year's cohort included nine students from Plumas Charter School — three from Quincy Learning Center and six from Indian Valley Academy — along with three students from Quincy High School.
Throughout the semester, students combined classroom instruction with real-world job shadowing experiences at Plumas District Hospital. Working alongside healthcare professionals, students gained firsthand exposure to the daily responsibilities, skills and educational pathways associated with a variety of medical careers.
Under the guidance of hospital preceptors, students completed job shadowing experiences in numerous departments, including radiology, physical therapy, emergency services, nursing, cardiopulmonary, laboratory services, midwifery and surgery. These experiences allowed students to observe patient care, learn about healthcare technologies and better understand the collaborative nature of modern medicine.
The program culminated in an end-of-semester commencement event, where students delivered presentations reflecting on their experiences, sharing what they learned and discussing their future educational and career goals.
Program instructor Danielle Wagner Plocki said the success of PHESI is made possible through the dedication of the healthcare professionals who volunteer their time to mentor students.
Plocki expressed immense gratitude to the hospital preceptors who welcomed students into their departments and provided meaningful learning experiences throughout the semester.
The program continues to serve as an important bridge between education and workforce development, helping students explore healthcare careers while building connections with local professionals and institutions. For many participants, the experience has strengthened their interest in pursuing careers in healthcare and provided a clearer understanding of the educational pathways needed to reach those goals.
By connecting students with real-world healthcare environments, PHESI continues to inspire the next generation of nurses, therapists, technicians, physicians and other healthcare professionals who may one day serve communities throughout Plumas County and beyond.