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Lacombe, LA—Northshore Technical Community College (NTCC) hosted an Introduction to Healthcare Careers Camp in December aimed at introducing those in underserved communities to career pathways within the healthcare field while strengthening the regional healthcare workforce through community partnership and awareness.
The camp was made possible through a Community Partnership Agreement between AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana, Inc. (ACLA), the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS), and the LCTCS Foundation. This collaborative initiative focuses on investing in Louisiana’s healthcare workforce and creating economic opportunities for ACLA’s members while improving health outcomes statewide. The partnership supports expanded access to healthcare careers in underserved communities, promotes economic mobility through education and training, and strengthens the healthcare workforce to improve care delivery across Louisiana. Bridget LaBorde, NTCC's Executive Director of Workforce Development and Continuing Education, said, "We are thankful that ACLA provided one-time funding to LCTCS for the implementation of a Healthcare Boot Camp and chose NTCC as one of the three colleges to offer the Boot Camp.”
NTCC recruited seven students from its Adult Education program to participate in the camp held at its Hammond Campus, providing them with early exposure to healthcare careers and educational pathways. To support student success throughout the camp, participants were provided with breakfast and lunch each day, as well as a small stipend to offset any costs while attending the camp.
Throughout the program, students were introduced to a variety of healthcare professions and learned about both credit and noncredit courses available at NTCC that can help them achieve their career goals. Participants also engaged in hands-on learning activities, including taking vital signs, listening to breath sounds, analyzing their own blood type, and learning appropriate patient transfer techniques. Students also earned a CPR certification.
The camp included real-world exposure through a field trip to North Oaks Health System (NOHS) allowing students to tour the pharmacy, laboratory, and radiology departments. All the students stated that visiting NOHS was their favorite part of the camp. Acadian Ambulance visited the class, and the students learned about emergency medical services and careers in emergency medicine.
In addition, Michael Otkins from AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana, spoke with students about available benefits and resources provided by the organization. He also shared that the organization supports individuals as they pursue education and career advancement in healthcare.
When asked about her role in the camp, McKenzie Flash, Allied Health instructor, said, “It’s exciting for me to share medical knowledge with others. This group was eager to learn, and teaching healthcare skills is more than information—it’s about building confidence. Seeing their excitement, pride, and smiles when they succeeded was the most rewarding part of this experience.”
Kristin Louque, Assistant Director of Workforce Development–Allied Health, who also worked closely with the program, echoed that sentiment. “This was a very fun project to work on. Seeing the reaction of the students when they realized their possibilities was invigorating.”
The Introduction to Healthcare Camp reflects NTCC’s continued commitment to expanding access to education, supporting workforce development, and creating meaningful pathways for students to enter high-demand healthcare careers. Through strong partnerships and hands-on learning experiences, NTCC continues to invest in the future of both its students and the communities it serves.
