The 2018 Within Reach program at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine will offer information on a variety of health care professions along with details on how to proceed on a focused health care career track. The event will take place Monday, Nov. 19, at the medical school located at 2 Riverside Circle in Roanoke. The evening will begin with an information fair at 5:30 p.m. The presentation will start at 6:15.

Joining the medical school to present Within Reach are the Jefferson College of Health Sciences, Virginia Western Community College, and Virginia Tech’s translational biology, medicine, and health program to help area high school and college students understand what health care educational offerings are available in the Roanoke and New River Valleys — and to realize that a health care career is within their reach.

Representatives from each of the schools will discuss a range of health care careers and offer tips on preparing for these training programs. More than two dozen academic programs will be featured both at the information fair and during the presentation. Some of these programs include those that lead to a certificate in medical laboratory science or practical nursing; an associate degree in such fields as respiratory therapy or surgical technology; a bachelor’s degree in a range of fields, such as emergency services or health care management; a master’s degree in such fields as nursing; a doctoral degree in translational medicine; or a medical degree.

“We’re hoping to reach students who never even considered a career in health care as a possibility,” said David Trinkle, associate dean for community and culture at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. “This includes students as well as mid-career professionals. Participants will learn that many different professions are within their reach and that once they get a job in health care, their futures abound with many more opportunities.”

Also invited to attend are teachers, school counselors, and parents.

The event is free. In case of inclement weather, the program will be held Monday, Nov. 26, at the same time and place.

Due to construction, Riverside Circle is closed. Please enter the Virginia Tech Carilion campus from Reserve Avenue. Ample parking is available either in the garage under 2 Riverside or in the adjacent deck.

For more information about Within Reach, call the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine at 540-526-2588 or cbrakes@vt.edu.

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