Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) recently wrapped up our Roots to Wings Summer Program: Pathways to Healthcare, bringing 14 upcoming juniors and seniors from the Yakima Valley — representing the Tribal School, Toppenish, White Swan, and Eisenhower High Schools — to our health sciences campus for an immersive, hands-on introduction to a future in healthcare.
The program, which was sponsored by the NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, was packed with engaging activities, from extracting strawberry DNA — a crowd favorite — to staining slides and examining bacteria cultures, which delivered the program’s biggest “wow” factor. Students also earned their CPR cards, a milestone many cited as a key achievement.
While the group began the program quietly, nerves soon gave way to confidence. As the days progressed, students stepped into leadership roles, shared their knowledge, and surprised even themselves with their willingness to engage.
“Seeing them step up and lead showed their willingness to step outside their reserved nature and show what they know.”
“There were some very smart students in class,” said Debbie Helgert, Administrative Coordinator in PNWU’s Office of Opportunity and Diversity. “Seeing them step up and lead showed their willingness to step outside their reserved nature and show what they know.”
Guest speakers, faculty, and healthcare professionals introduced participants to a wide array of career possibilities. In some cases, the impact was immediate — one returning student shifted his career aspirations from welding to physical therapy after hearing from a PT guest speaker. Another student, initially focused solely on becoming an MMA fighter, began to envision a path to college after visiting Central Washington University and learning about its smaller class sizes and accessible admissions requirements.
Students also connected deeply with their mentors, building relationships that reinforced their sense of belonging in higher education.
“It was very satisfying knowing we picked great mentors for the program,” Helgert reflected.
A highlight for many was listening to Elder Washines, whose storytelling wove cultural knowledge and personal experience into the program’s learning objectives, keeping students fully engaged.
The program expanded students’ perspectives beyond healthcare skills. Many were surprised to learn about the Yakama Nation’s nationally recognized fish restoration efforts during a visit to the Mel Sampson fish hatchery, while others gained valuable life skills through workshops on resumes, FAFSA, college applications, and scholarships.
By the program’s close, aspirations were as diverse as the students themselves — from dentistry to neurosurgery, from studying philosophy and religion to pursuing professional athletics.
As one participant put it, “My mindset has just been solidified more.”
PNWU’s next Roots to Wings cohort is scheduled to begin the program this October, with East Valley’s schools joining our ranks of student participation for the first time. “I am excited to have our PNWU dental students available to be co-mentors for the first time as well,” added Helgert.