The Health Sciences Academy (HSA) is a collaborative initiative between Atrium Health, Union County Public Schools, and South Piedmont Community College that prepares students, K-12, for meaningful careers in health care. The partnership is designed to spark student interest in healthcare careers and build a strong, prepared talent pipeline. With a mission to inspire, educate, and connect, HSA provides students with a clear pathway into the health sciences, starting as early as elementary school. The Academy offers a powerful blend of academic preparation, career exploration, and hands-on experiences for students in Union County.

Through HSA, students have access to specialized coursework and experiences, dual enrollment options, and direct exposure to real-world healthcare settings. Whether it be through hospital education visits and tours, guest speakers, or shadowing experiences, students gain valuable insight into the diverse pathways of healthcare professions, equipping them to make informed decisions about their futures. As the demand for a skilled healthcare workforce grows, programs like HSA are critical in preparing students to not only succeed, but to lead with compassion, innovation, and community impact.

Elementary: Sparking Curiosity
At the elementary level, HSA focuses on sparking curiosity and laying the foundation for healthcare career awareness. Through interactive health science days, guest speakers, and engaging classroom activities, students begin to explore how healthcare professionals help people and improve their lives. These early experiences are designed to ignite interest and plant the seeds for future exploration.

Middle School: Exploring Pathways and Purpose
At the middle school level, the focus shifts toward deeper healthcare career exploration. Students participate in hands-on STEM and health science activities, career fairs, and mentorship opportunities. HSA programming for middle schools also continue to build on the importance of academic success, preparation, and essential skills like teamwork and communication. 

High School: Preparing for the Purpose 
By high school, students are fully immersed in a tailored health science track. Through specialized courses, dual enrollment with South Piedmont Community College, and real-world experiences at Atrium Health, students develop both the academic and professional skills needed for healthcare careers. Shadowing, internships, certifications, and leadership development are core to this level, allowing students to graduate with a head start toward college or careers in the healthcare field. 

Why It Matters
The Health Sciences Academy addresses both workforce development needs and educational engagement. By providing students with access, exposure, and opportunity at every stage of their academic journey, HSA is building a local pipeline of compassionate, skilled healthcare professionals ready to serve their communities. As we face growing demands in the healthcare industry, programs like HSA are critical in preparing students to serve, lead, and make a lasting impact.