KLAMATH FALLS — Klamath Basin high school students are taking advantage of a new high school-college program designed to help launch their careers in the medical field.
The Klamath Regional Career & Technical Education (CTE) Campus introduced its inaugural courses, Medical Terminology and First Aid Basics & Beyond, last fall with approximately 60 students from Klamath Union, Bonanza and Chiloquin High Schools participating.
The program is a collaborative effort between Sky Lakes Medical Center and Klamath Community College’s Accelerated Learning department.
Jessica Gross, BSN, RN, serves as the Workforce Program Manager at Sky Lakes and oversees the CTE campus, located in a spacious, newly renovated building at 2200 N. Eldorado Ave. in Klamath Falls, just south of the Klamath Basin Behavioral Health offices.
Courses are offered either in person at the center or in a hybrid format that combines online and remote instruction, allowing students to participate directly from their high school classrooms.
“The program is a dream of Sky Lakes’ CHRO, Bryan Fix,” Gross shared during a recent tour. “It is modeled after a similar program in Washington state.” The vision centers on a “grow your own” approach developing local talent to help address generational poverty while meeting the region’s growing demand for healthcare professionals.
“Recruiting professionals from outside the Klamath Basin can be challenging,” Gross explained. “By giving students the opportunity to start in high school, we can help grow their careers, build their knowledge base, and connect them with the right career pathways ultimately leading to strong, family-wage careers right here in our community.”
Klamath Community College’s Director of Accelerated Learning, Kelly Kandra, worked closely with Gross and instructional staff to streamline student enrollment. Gross noted that the partnership has been instrumental in expanding opportunities for local students. “Kelly made the entire process seamless,” Gross said.
“Expanding opportunity in healthcare education isn’t just about adding courses — it’s about opening doors” Kandra said. “Through the Klamath Regional CTE Health Careers Program, we are supporting students learning real-world while bridging the gap for smaller schools through accessible online learning.
“What makes this work truly impactful is the spirit of collaboration behind it. It has been a genuine pleasure working alongside such dedicated partners who share a vision for student success. Together, we are not only building programs—we are strengthening pathways, uplifting schools, and investing in the health and resilience of our entire community,” she said.
Currently, the Career & Technical Education (CTE) program offers up to nine college credits to high school juniors and seniors. Courses include Medical Terminology I and II, along with First Aid: Basics & Beyond, with plans to expand offerings in the coming year.
“We anticipate increasing enrollment by 50% next year,” Gross said. KCC currently offers Exploring Medical Health Careers as a dual-credit course, which may be incorporated into the CTE program. This course introduces students to career pathways in nursing, physical therapy, dental hygiene, and emergency medical services. Guest speakers from a variety of healthcare fields are invited to share insights on educational requirements, skill expectations, salary ranges, and job availability.
The CTE campus features two classrooms equipped with lab spaces that simulate both inpatient and outpatient care settings, along with a large lecture hall. The facility is continually being enhanced with anatomical teaching models, foundational medical equipment, and medical simulation manikins to support hands-on learning.
To parents considering the courses and potential capstone opportunities available to students, Gross said, “these experiences broaden their understanding of the human body and strengthen their foundation for future healthcare careers.”
The center is currently accepting registrations for the upcoming fall term. Students are encouraged to connect with their Health Occupations teachers or school counselors for enrollment information. For questions related to dual credit, please contact Klamath Community College’s Accelerated Learning department at 541-880-2337.
For more information about KCC and its programs, visit www.klamathcc.edu.
