The Concordia Parish School Board hosted its first Health Careers Day Feb. 1, at the Vidalia Riverfront Conference and Convention Center.

This event was created as an opportunity for Concordia Parish sophomore students to explore different areas of the health care profession as they consider future careers that may best suit their skills and abilities.

Guest presenters from several professions in the health care field were Dr. Kristen Pate, pharmacist and ULM School of Pharmacy faculty member; Dr. Bridget Milliken, optometrist at the Whitaker Eye Center; Michelle Tiffee, registered nurse and Louisiana Technical College Shelby M. Jackson faculty member; Sara Smith, director of physician relations and education at Promise Healthcare System; Dr. Jarrod Gregg, dentist at Gregg Dental Clinic; Melissa Gregg, dental hygienist at Gregg Dental Clinic; Alison Cupit, speech therapist at the Concordia Parish schools; Christie Rabb, respiratory therapist; Summer Milliken, physical therapist at MS-Lou Physical Therapy; Cathy Roboski, occupational therapist at Key Rehab Associates; Jean Comeaux, radiologic technician at Riverland Medical Center; and Heather Hollis, medical lab technician at Riverland Medical Center.

The presenters shared information such as the level of education/training required, entry-level salary ranges, specific-job duties, and what a typical day on the job is like.

The dedication of these individuals to their professions and community helped to make this event a success. We are grateful that they graciously adjusted their schedules to enlighten students of the many career opportunities available in health care and thank them for making our motto, “Education is Everybody’s Business,” a reality.

Thank you on behalf of myself and Dr. Paul Nelson, director of academics.

Rhonda Moore, Career and Technical

Education coordinator

Concordia Parish School Board