In a powerful demonstration of what’s possible for the next generation, more than 200 high school seniors from across San Bernardino County gathered at Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) in Pomona, for Future Health Care Professionals Day. Hosted by the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) on Feb. 4, the event brought together students pursuing Health Science and Medical Technology pathways for a full day of hands-on learning, personal engagement with faculty, and a firsthand look at postsecondary health care programs across a wide range of disciplines.
For students from Indian Springs High School in San Bernardino City, the experience was more than a career exploration—it was a spark for possibility. The day opened with a moving White Coat Ceremony, giving students a symbolic glimpse of themselves stepping into the shoes of a health care professional, reinforcing that their aspirations are within reach.
“Future Health Care Professionals Day helps students envision themselves as health care professionals,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “Partnering with a university like WesternU allows students to see that a world-class education is available right here in their own backyard.”
The event underscored how Career Technical Education (CTE) can serve as a launchpad to high-demand, high-skill health care careers, connecting classroom learning to real-world opportunities. Students rotated through interactive sessions across WesternU’s programs, including nursing, optometry, pharmacy, podiatric medicine, osteopathic medicine, health administration, and physician assistant studies. Each rotation offered direct engagement with health care professionals and current university students, giving participants a clear roadmap from high school to a rewarding career in health care.
Among the participating schools, Indian Springs High School proudly represented San Bernardino City, joining peers from A.B. Miller, Barstow, Chaffey, Colony, Fontana, Granite Hills, Los Osos, Rialto, and Yucaipa high schools.
Future Health Care Professionals Day highlights the ongoing partnership between SBCSS and WesternU, a collaboration dedicated to expanding access to health care education, strengthening the pathway from K–12 to higher education, and building a sustainable regional health care workforce. For students in San Bernardino City, the event offered a tangible message: a future in health care is not just a dream—it’s a path that starts today.
###
The mission of San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools is to transform lives through education. Working in collaboration with school districts, families, our community partners, and other agencies, we provide leadership, advocacy and services to ensure equitable, innovative and inspiring educational practices. This endeavor is essential to the quality of life and economic vitality of our communities.