Navigating Health Care Careers: Chart Your Path from High School to Health Care: Full Schedule

Welcome to the 2025 WakeMed health care careers conference for high school students Navigating Health Care Careers: Chart Your Path from High School to Health Care!

In order to participate in this event on Friday, March 14, 2025, you must be invited by an event coordinator, and you must have a full schedule of 8 sessions. To be invited to this event, please have a parent sign the WakeMed consent form and email the form to WorkforceDevelopment@wakemed.org.

Friday, March 14th is a WCPSS traditional calendar teacher workday. If your school does not follow this calendar, you may elect to seek an excused absence from your school’s administration to attend this educational event.

Please email WorkforceDevelopment@wakemed.org with additional questions.

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8:30am EDT

Into the Heart of Healing: Exploring Critical Care Careers

Friday March 14, 2025 8:30am - 8:50am EDT

Room 2

Critical care refers to specialized medical care provided to individuals who are critically ill or injured and require close monitoring and intensive treatment. It typically takes place in a dedicated unit called the intensive care unit (ICU) or critical care unit (CCU). Critical care involves constant monitoring of vital signs, managing life support systems like ventilators, and addressing complications that may arise. The goal of critical care is to stabilize patients, support their organ function, and ultimately facilitate their recovery. Join us to learn more about the different career paths in critical care.

Speakers

Chris Smith

Nurse Manager, WakeMed

Hello, my name is Chris Smith. I am a registered nurse and have been with WakeMed for 32 years working in Critical care and nursing leadership. I have a bachelor's degree in nursing and a national certification in critical care nursing. I have managed Medical ICU, CVICU, eICU... Read More →

Amos Walker

Supervisor/Educator, WakeMed Health & Hospitals

I have been a nurse for 19yrs. I have worked at Shock Trauma In Baltimore MD, to Radiology nursing at Duke University Hospital to the Cardiovascular Intensive care at Wake Med Raleigh. I became a supervisor in 2022 on the Medical Intensive Care unit. I went to Sacramento State University... Read More →

Jennifer Elliot

Nursing Director, WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Jennifer Elliott is the Director of Critical Care Nursing services at WakeMed Health and Hospitals, a large community, level 1 Trauma, STEMI, and Stroke center. She oversees five critical care units and the Rapid Response Program. Jennifer is an experienced Clinical Nurse Specialist... Read More →

Kelsey Sain

Clinical Nurse Specialist, WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Friday March 14, 2025 8:30am - 8:50am EDT
Room 2

Nursing

8:30am EDT

Ports: A Cath-tivating Demonstration (Medical-Surgical)

Friday March 14, 2025 8:30am - 8:50am EDT

Front Lobby

Want to learn something unique? Come learn about port-a-caths and how they are accessed for use in our oncology patients for chemotherapy. A Port-a-Cath, often simply referred to as a port, is an implanted device that provides easy access to a patient’s veins. It is surgically inserted completely beneath the skin and consists of two parts: the portal and the catheter.

Speakers

Susan Bruce

Supervisor/Educator, WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Friday March 14, 2025 8:30am - 8:50am EDT
Front Lobby

Nursing, Allied Health

8:30am EDT

The Rehab Experience: Think Fast! (Rehab Hospital)

Friday March 14, 2025 8:30am - 8:50am EDT

Room 5

Experience for a moment what it would be like to have a life-altering event that impacts every aspect of your daily life. Then, meet the professionals who make a difference!

*Don’t forget to check out our sister session, Wellness Matters!

Speakers

Diane Gilewicz

Director of Rehab Nursing, WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Diane Gilewicz is the Director of Rehab Nursing Services, providing nursing oversight to 4 inpatient Rehab units and Outpatient Rehab. She holds her BSN and MSN from Chamberlain University. She also has a certification in Rehabilitation. Diane serves as the Director Liaison for the... Read More →

Linda Bogumil

2D Nurse Manager, WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Dorothy Shannon

2C Clinical Educator/Nursing supervisor, WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Kristin Simeon

Speech Therapist, WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Natalie McKenny

3C Clinical Sup/Ed, WakeMed Health & Hospitals

I am a Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse. I have worked in the field of Rehab for 23years, just over half my career. My passion is working with patients that are living with Spinal Cord Injuries.

Sharee McCray

Rehab Clinical Nurse Specialist, WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Dr. Sharee McCray is the Clinical Nurse Specialist for a 98-bed Rehabilitation Hospital, providing clinical expertise to 4 Inpatient Rehab units. She holds her BSN at University of South Carolina and both an MSN and DNP at the University of South Alabama. Dr. McCray has been a CNS... Read More →