Memorial Hospital Welcomes 39 Students to 2026-2027 Medical Explorers Program
Memorial Hospital is proud to welcome 39 local high school students to the 2026-2027 Medical Explorers Program, continuing its mission of inspiring and educating future healthcare professionals. Now entering its seventh year, the program provides students with firsthand exposure to a wide variety of healthcare careers through hands-on experiences, educational presentations, facility tours, and job shadowing opportunities. The program remains open to students from their freshman year of high school through age 20 and has connected more than 175 students with healthcare career exploration opportunities since its inception.
This year, Memorial Hospital is excited to welcome students from nine area high schools, including participation from two new schools, Freeburg Community High School and St. Vincent High School. Twenty-one students are participating in the program for the first time, while 18 students have returned to continue exploring healthcare careers. Two students are completing their fourth year in the program, and four students are participating in their third year.
Participating students include:
Chester High School: Logan Brace, Annabell Cross, Kaylee Cunningham, Hadlie Cushman, Mabrie Cushman, Jaimy Duran, Harlow Ebers, Yami Fuentes, Brenna Hammel, Kinsley Middendorf, Rylee Shemonic, and Hannah Stueve.
Coulterville High School: Maribeth Strate.
Freeburg Community High School: Kennedy Allen, Anna Rarick, and Lulu Steppig.
Gibault Catholic High School: Eli Congiardo, Elly Goeddel, Amelia Meyer, and Claire Wachtel.
Red Bud High School: Ava Deterding, Katie Deterding, Aubree Gulley, Thalia Hinton, Megan Moeller, Alayna Schmoll, and Kylie Zipfel.
Sparta High School: Ronin Bradshaw.
St. Vincent High School: Jackson Powell.
Steeleville High School: Hillari Cowan, Ella Kiehna, Karlie Kranz, Kamryn Patterson, Lydia Pemper, Emma Rieckenberg, Ella Tripp, and Karsen Wedemeyer.
Trico High School: Evie Barnes and Bailey Thies.
Throughout the program year, students will explore a broad range of healthcare professions through presentations and interactive experiences with Memorial Hospital departments and community healthcare partners. Returning Memorial Hospital departments include the Laboratory, Rural Health Clinics, Nursing Departments, Diagnostic Imaging, Surgical Services, Memorial Community Pharmacy, and Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation Center. Students will also have opportunities to learn from returning community partners including Rheinecker Chiropractic, MedStar Ambulance, South Central Illinois Area Health Education Center (AHEC), and AirEvac.
New additions to this year's programming include career exploration opportunities with Southern Illinois Dermatology and Memorial Hospital's Sleep Lab, introducing students to specialized healthcare roles including dermatology services and sleep technology.
In addition to exploring healthcare careers, students and their families will have the opportunity to learn about educational pathways through presentations from regional colleges and universities with healthcare-focused programs. These sessions are designed to help students better understand the academic options available as they pursue careers in healthcare.
A hallmark of the Medical Explorers Program continues to be the opportunity for participants to job shadow professionals throughout Memorial Hospital. These experiences allow students to observe healthcare environments firsthand, ask questions, and gain valuable insight into daily responsibilities across various specialties. Seniors in the program are also eligible to apply for a Medical Explorers Scholarship through the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.
"Each year, it's exciting to welcome new students while reconnecting with those who have returned to continue their healthcare career exploration," said Mariah Bargman, Marketing and Community Relations Manager and Medical Explorers Program Director.
"The growth of the program and the enthusiasm shown by these students reinforces the importance of providing meaningful opportunities to learn about the many careers available in healthcare."
Bargman noted that the program's expanded schedule, introduced last year and continued this year, has allowed for more frequent interaction and deeper engagement between students and healthcare professionals. "Meeting more often gives us the opportunity to expose students to a wider variety of healthcare careers and build stronger relationships throughout the year," Bargman said. "One of the most rewarding aspects of the program is watching students ask thoughtful questions and begin envisioning what a future in healthcare might look like. Sometimes they discover a career path they hadn't previously considered, while other times they learn that one area isn't the right fit and uncover several others that spark their interest."
Memorial Hospital remains committed to supporting workforce development and encouraging the next generation of healthcare professionals. Through programs like Medical Explorers, students gain valuable experiences that help them make informed educational and career decisions while strengthening the future of healthcare in our communities.
