Bulloch Schools’ Allied Health & Medicine career pathway earns industry certification renewal
Local career pathway is a successful pipeline for future healthcare professionals
Bulloch County Schools’ Allied Health & Medicine career pathway has once again demonstrated its commitment to excellence by successfully earning renewal of its national Industry Certification status for a fourth time.
National Industry Certification is a distinction that serves as the gold standard for career and technical education programs.
“This rigorous certification process ensures that the program meets the highest industry standards and continues to prepare students for successful careers in healthcare,” said Bethan Gilliam, director of the school district’s Career Technical & Agricultural Education program, which now encompasses 43 career pathways.
Housed at Southeast Bulloch High School, the Therapeutic Allied Health & Medicine career pathway initially earned its Industry Certification in 2010, and district and school faculty have continued to pursue the recertification process every five years thereafter.
“This year’s renewal highlights the pathway’s growth, innovation, and continued success that began under its initial instructor, Sharon Pye, and is now under the leadership of Elizabeth Hartley,” said Gilliam.
Hartley, who has led the pathway since 2022, holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing, is a registered nurse, a certified emergency nurse, and an advanced emergency medical technician. She oversees instruction for three career pathways within the Health Sciences career cluster, all at SEBHS: Therapeutic Services Allied Health, Therapeutic Services - Pharmacy, and Therapeutic Services - Patient Care. The Allied Health & Medicine pathway consists of a series of three courses: Introduction to Healthcare Science, Essentials of Healthcare, and Allied Health & Medicine.
Open to students from each of the district’s three high schools, Hartley currently has 130 students enrolled. Students who complete the series of three courses within a pathway take its end-of-pathway assessment, and Hartley’s students have an impressive 93.2% pass rate on these assessments, which is significantly higher than the state average, further demonstrating the quality of local instruction and student preparedness. Part of that preparedness comes from hands-on experiences in 47 local healthcare settings.
“This real-world exposure provides my students with invaluable training and insight into the medical field, and helps them build the skills needed to enter the workforce or continue their education in healthcare,” said Hartley.
The Industry Certification renewal process involved a comprehensive evaluation by a team of local industry partners, former Allied Health & Medicine students, and educational leaders, ensuring that the program continues to meet state and industry standards. Their insights and feedback will help further strengthen the curriculum and help students graduate career-ready and equipped with the skills to thrive in healthcare professions.
“With this renewal, Bulloch County Schools and Southeast Bulloch High, as the career pathway’s host school, reaffirms their positions as leaders in healthcare education and continue the mission to provide students with the tools, knowledge, and hands-on experience needed for success in the healthcare field,” said Charles Wilson, Bulloch County Superintendent of Schools.These courses provide students with a strong foundation in medical knowledge, clinical skills, and hands-on experience in local healthcare settings. Graduates leave the program with industry-recognized skills, preparing them for further education and careers in the medical field.
“This recertification is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, faculty, and local healthcare partners,” said Gilliam.” We are committed to providing a high-quality learning experience that gives students a strong foundation in healthcare while also connecting them with real-world opportunities.”
