June 16, 2026 (Volume 49, Number 18)
Article by
Kennedy Scott
Pat Smith, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, shows an otoscope to several Traverse City high school students during the Healthcare Showcase at the Traverse City Regional Center.
Hundreds of high school students explored healthcare careers at Grand Valley’s Traverse City Regional Center in late May, engaging with College of Health Professions faculty from Grand Rapids and Traverse City.
In partnership with three high schools and one technical education center, the GVSU Traverse City Regional Center hosted its second Healthcare Showcase featuring eight interactive, faculty-led rotations. Each rotation offered a glimpse of what it would be like to choose an available health-related program in Northern Michigan. The showcase was partially supported by an Impact 30 grant from the Division of K-12 Education Innovation and Scholar Success.
Over 200 students had the chance to perform CPR on a high-fidelity mannequin, examine ears with an otoscope, wrap wrists with athletic tape, examine a streak plate, and monitor a classmate’s blood pressure. They were also able to explore non-clinical professions, including health information management and public health.
Pat Smith, assistant professor of physician assistant studies and Traverse City site director, emphasized the value and uniqueness of this opportunity.
“We're able to bring all the resources of Grand Valley up here and can expose students to multiple career fields that they otherwise do not have exposure to," Smith said.
He said opportunities like the showcase are why he pursued a career in education. Smith added that early exposure to careers is critical, especially in Northern Michigan, where there are provider shortages.
“This is the exciting part,” Smith said. “This is the place where students get the spark of, 'Wait, I can do this. I have the capabilities to do this, and I have the capabilities to do this here in Traverse City.'”
The College of Health Professions continues to expand its offerings to meet the needs of Northern Michigan. Allied health sciences and physician assistant studies have established strong footprints in Traverse City, while the public health master's degree program will start this fall. Medical laboratory science is also expected to be added to the region's program offerings in 2028.
Shannon Owen, director of the Northern Region, said that responsiveness to community needs is key to their strategy in bringing new program offerings to Traverse City.
“If you talk to anyone in the region, having accessible healthcare is really important," Owen said. "It's our goal to continue to educate people from here to stay here to help bridge the gaps that we see in rural areas.”
—Kennedy Scott is the marketing and communications specialist for the College of Health Professions.
This article was last edited on June 16, 2026 at 7:4 p.m.
Aviation students can complete the Bachelor of Applied Science degree program in Traverse City, or online, and have tangible professional benefits within the industry.
Featured
June 16, 2026 (Volume 49, Number 18)
Article by
Kate VanDerKolk
A Detroit News article centered on university governance and a Brookings article called the Thompson Scholars program a model solution for increasing access for students from middle-income families.
June 16, 2026 (Volume 49, Number 18)
Now working in the Division of Enrollment Development and College Futures, Ngassa discusses how his background serves as a bridge between enrollment and academic affairs.
June 16, 2026 (Volume 49, Number 18)
