Expanding Access to ECHO (Exploring Careers in Health Occupations) for Garrett County Youth

Garrett County is working together to foster opportunities for local youth to become more engaged with the ECHO (Exploring Careers in Health Occupations) program coordinated by AHEC West. ECHO is designed to expose students interested in future health careers to multiple disciplines and promotes experiential learning through facility tours and interviews with professionals across the spectrum of healthcare services. 

The cost to participate is $150; however, scholarship opportunities are available for students from Garrett County. The STEPS Committee, known for its role in coordinating the Garrett County Health Fair, has agreed to sponsor three students from Garrett County, and an anonymous donor has agreed to sponsor another ten students. 

“This is a phenomenal opportunity for students to explore careers in health occupations, and the generous support provided for Garrett County students improves equitable access to future career opportunities in highly rewarding careers in health-related fields,” said Bob Stephens, Garrett County Health Officer.

Students participating in the program will have the opportunity to explore careers in nursing, dentistry, and other fields that are key to combating the health provider shortages observed in Western Maryland. 

According to the Garrett County Health Department’s Director of Nursing, Jennifer Lee-Steckman, “this opportunity provides students, 14 through 18 years of age, with a firsthand look into the diverse world of healthcare.”

Registration information for the ECHO program is available on the Garrett County Health Department’s website at: https://garretthealth.org/echo-registration-form-now-available/.

In addition to this opportunity, multiple programs and committees meeting at the Garrett County Health Department are actively expanding access to opportunities for Garrett County youth through continued and expanded scholarship and experiential opportunities. Please follow the Garrett County Health Department’s website at https://garretthealth.org for additional information about future opportunities as they are announced.