For a second year, a remarkable group of high school students have completed the “Working Together for Better Health” education program. This unique partnership between Scarborough Health Network (SHN) and Woburn Collegiate Institute offers students a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of a hospital and the many possible roles they may want to pursue as a career. Eighty-six (86) enterprising, young people completed the program this year—an increase of 54% from the 56 students who completed the program in 2024. This is a powerful affirmation of the potential that lies within our youth and the future of healthcare.
This innovative program is designed to elevate health literacy and ignite passion for healthcare careers among high school students. It also supports the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) in Health and Wellness, that Woburn Collegiate offers. The Toronto District School Board’s SHSM programs help students align their academic pursuits with real-world experience and purpose.
Throughout the year, the Woburn students participated in six immersive, on-site sessions covering a wide range of clinical areas at SHN, including breast health and screening, diagnostic imaging, men’s health, kidney health, heart health, mental health, clinical informatics, and much more.
SHN staff and physicians have been very engaged in the planning, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of the SHN/Woburn program. Leadership of the initiative falls under the Manager, Health Equity, Patient and Community Engagement. Each session is led by the relevant clinical program and planned by staff and physicians within that program. Staff and physicians develop and deliver an educational presentation, lead a tour of their area, create an interactive activity, and answer questions from the students. Staff members also share information about their profession and their career journey. Staff welcome the opportunity to give back to the community, share their knowledge, promote the hospital, and encourage the next generation of healthcare workers. This past year, 50 staff/physicians participated in the program (up from 43 last year).
“Through these kinds of experiences, students not only learn about hospital services and how they are delivered, but are also introduced to the many vital roles that keep our healthcare system running. Students get to hear directly from physicians, nurses, medical radiation technologists, and clinical managers and directors, which can really broaden their horizons for what they may want to pursue in the future,” said Gideon Quaison, Manager of Health Equity, Patient and Community Engagement.
Although it was not possible to accommodate all 86 graduates at the graduation ceremony, the event was a memorable milestone. Dr. Caroline Scott, SHN Orthopaedic Surgeon, gave an engaging presentation on robotic surgery. Using props and photos, she explained the mechanics of joint replacement surgery and how SHN’s advanced surgical robot is helping to perform procedures with increased precision and improve overall patient outcomes. The focus on robotic surgery was SHN’s way of acknowledging Woburn’s special achievements in the field of robotics. Since 1995, Woburn’s “Team 188: Blizzard” has been a pioneering force in high school robotics. Team 188 competes in local, national, and international robotics competitions using a robot they build from scratch.
Following Dr. Scott’s presentation, the ceremony was filled with pride and reflection as students shared their experiences and received certificates of completion. Their stories were a testament to the program’s impact and the power of early exposure to healthcare careers.
“This program has definitely given me opportunities that I would have never considered before. What stood out to me was that I got to scrub into a thyroid surgery, and it was the same team that performed on my mom a few weeks prior!” said Masam, one of graduates. “This experience was made possible thanks to all the work SHN does with our team at Woburn.”
Adding to the celebration, Kari Peters, SHSM lead teacher at Woburn Collegiate Institute, reflected on the broader impact of the program. “At Woburn, we’ve always had a strong tradition of students aspiring to careers in health and wellness. What makes this program so powerful is how it opens their eyes to the full spectrum of healthcare—not just doctors and nurses, but the many roles that support equitable care, even in areas like skilled trades,” she said. “It’s been incredible to see students light up as they share what they’ve learned—not just in the hospital, but back at school with their peers, families, and teachers.”
SHN extends heartfelt congratulations to the 2025 graduates. For our staff/physicians, thank you for supporting this important work. It has been an honour to host this incredible group, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact these young people will make in our Scarborough community and beyond. As we celebrate their success, we are also preparing for Year Three of this program, launching in September 2025!