Heroes in Health

JCU Future Students Manager Regina Blackburn said the program is about taking students behind-the-scenes so they can see what it’s really like to work in healthcare.

“They learn things like hygiene and gowning, and experience simulations such as CPR and wound dressing,” she said. “They’ll also have the opportunity to speak directly with health professionals to be inspired about their career journey and open their eyes to other career ideas they previously didn’t know about.”

Bowen State High School Deputy Principal Robert Harris said the Heroes in Health program was a great way for students to get a real understanding of potential careers.

“This takes the students beyond what they might see in a TV show or movies and into the real world of health care,” he said.

“They gain insights they wouldn’t have had before and get to connect with health professionals. When it comes time to choose what to study, they already have this experience under their belts and can make better-informed decisions.”

Mater Health Regional Executive Director, North, and Central Queensland Gerard Wyvill said Mater is proud to partner with James Cook University to facilitate the Heroes in Health events.

“It provides a unique opportunity for secondary school students in our region to experience health, outside of a classroom and in a clinical setting,” he said.

“We hope that initiatives like these will help grow our future health workforce, particularly those residing in regional Queensland.”

Heroes in Health has been running in Mackay since 2019, and this year expanded to include Townsville and Rockhampton, with and Cairns and Mount Isa scheduled to join in 2021.