Davis Academy Celebrates Three Years, Expands Health Care Training Opportunities for Local Students
March 03, 2025
Young aspiring health care professionals have access to more education and training options than ever before thanks to Vandalia Health Davis Medical Center’s Davis Academy, offering immersive, hands-on experiences to prepare students for future careers. Celebrating its third year, the Davis Academy has grown significantly since its inception, forming key partnerships with technical centers in Randolph and Barbour counties, as well as Tucker County High School’s student nurse program, to provide students with invaluable training in various medical fields.
Through these partnerships, Career Work and Skills Training (CWST) students have access to 15 rotation options, where they gain hands-on experience under the guidance of department mentors. These rotations allow students to engage in various health care tasks, including blood draws in the lab, chart reading, patient transport, taking vitals and direct patient care. Additionally, students observe medical procedures within their assigned departments. Beyond technical skills, students are trained in customer service and proper bedside manner when applicable, helping them develop a well-rounded understanding of health care professions.
“Our Academy program gives students invaluable real-world experience and helps them identify their specific interests within the health care industry and prepares them for future careers. We are thrilled to be celebrating our third year as we kick off our Spring semester with expanded opportunities for our students,” said Chad Ware, System Leader of Workforce, Community and Physician Engagement, Davis Medical Center.
To ensure interns are well-versed in hospital procedures and regulations, all participants complete an abbreviated employee orientation covering key policies such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) compliance.
Expanded opportunities for Davis Academy students include rotations in radiology, cancer care center, physician practices (family and surgical suite), women’s health care, nursing, physical therapy, sports medicine, cardiac rehab (three days per week), respiratory therapy, surgical services (operating room, day surgery unit and recovery), information technology, accounting, registration, maintenance and marketing (full semester).
For more information about The Davis Academy, contact please contact Chad Ware at (304) 637-3378 or at warec@davishealthsystem.org.
About Davis Health System: Davis Health System serves a vast population of West Virginians throughout the Potomac Highlands region of WV. The system includes Davis Medical Center in Elkins, Broaddus Hospital in Philippi, and Webster Memorial Hospital in Webster Springs. Additionally, the system includes a Cancer Care Center, Long-Term Care, 24/7 Emergency Care, Surgical Care, Women’s Health Care, Home Health Care and a number of other critical ancillary services. In January, 2024, Davis Health System became part of the Vandalia Health Network.
About Vandalia Health System: Vandalia Health, headquartered in Charleston, is a multi-state health system with locations across West Virginia as well as in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Made up of CAMC Health System, Davis Health System and Mon Health System, Vandalia Health has 17 hospitals, over 190 ambulatory locations, more than 13,000 employees and more than 2,000 doctors and advanced practice providers. For more information or a map of locations visit vandaliahealth.org.