There are numerous partnerships with community organizations across the Baltimore region that enable the work and mission of the Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) and its thriving network of six neighborhood conversion charter schools. Every community partner, especially our overarching partner, Baltimore City Public Schools, is integral to the success of the BCP family of students, faculty/staff, and parents.
We’re delighted to celebrate Lifebridge Health and the unique partnership for the Pimlico/Sinai Middle Grades Health Sciences Program.
What is the Pimlico/Sinai Middle Grades Health Sciences Program?
Sponsored by Lifebridge Health and created in 2020-2021, the Pimlico program – the only one of its kind in the BCP network – gives selected middle school students an in-depth exploration of careers in the healthcare industry. Students enjoy hospital tours, demonstrations, lectures, and workshops all presented by Sinai Hospital medical and non-medical staff.
Students apply for the free program, and once accepted and “pinned” at a pinning ceremony designed to mimic the white-coat ceremonies at medical schools around the country, they take advanced science classes at Pimlico in addition to the program’s experiential learning opportunities.
The mission of the singular program is to showcase medical and health field careers and illuminate pathways to becoming doctors, nurses, and other medical staff, healthcare administration, information technology, the building trades, culinary services, marketing, and legal services.
Lifebridge sponsors a similar program at two other public schools, one in Baltimore City and the other in Baltimore County. It is the hope of Lifebridge to deepen its role at Pimlico by offering health services and/or family health and wellness education in the future.
LifeBridge Health is committed to an authentic presence in the communities we serve. Partnering with schools in our catchment areas and investing in our youth gives us the opportunity to provide meaningful experiences directly in our hospital neighborhoods, inspiring the next generation.
What’s Happening in the Pimlico/Sinai Middle Grades Health Sciences Program?
On October 2, 2023, the new 6th graders selected for the program were honored with a pinning ceremony at Pimlico. With this new cohort, there are 77 total Pimlico students in the program.
So far this academic year, the Health Science Program students have had visits from a nurse leader, human resources business partner, pediatric doctors and residents discussing the integumentary system, ophthalmologists, a physical therapist specializing in care for senior citizens, and a physical therapist who works with patients who have had surgery at Sinai’s renowned Rubin Institute, which is a limb lengthening clinic.
Planned for 2023-2024:
In addition to general tours of Sinai Hospital, Pimlico student will enjoy visits from:
- Pediatric residents discussing the nervous system and brain development
- A peer recovery coach and pediatric doctors discussing the reproductive systems
- A return visit by a Sinai cardiologist who came last year to show students how to place a stent and gave a PEMS staff member an ultrasound of his heart
In addition, 7th graders will complete Stop the Bleed training, which was offered last year. The 6th graders also will tour Sinai’s simulation center at the end of the school year, where they’ll take care of a patient (a very realistic robot!) and treat her symptoms with the help of an educator nurse.
Matthew Owens, Pimlico’s Science Lead Teacher and 7th Grade Science Teacher, has taught science at the school for eight years. He was part of the group of educators and healthcare professionals who helped to develop Pimlico’s Health Science program and partnership with Lifebridge.
“This program is having a lasting impact on our students,” he explains. “They are speaking the language of health science professionals and see how practical knowledge leads to informed decisions and future career opportunities. I watch their confidence grow and their knowledge expand. It’s so exciting to see them approach classes and interactions with Lifebridge clinicians and staff like scientists.”
Thank you, Lifebridge Health, for your support!
