SHS Medical Assisting Program Partners with MGB Salem Hospital to Expand Student Practicum Opportunities
SHS CTE, MGB hopeful of expanding two-week program in 2026-27
SALEM (June 24, 2026) – Salem High School is proud to announce a new collaboration between its Career and Technical Education (CTE) Medical Assisting program and Mass General Brigham’s Salem Hospital that provides students with the opportunity to complete a portion of their required practicum hours within a real-world healthcare setting.
The program launched this May with students completing a two-week program, with the goal of expanding the program next school year.
This collaboration represents a significant step forward in strengthening workforce development pathways for students while supporting the growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals throughout the region. Through this partnership, SHS Medical Assisting students gain hands-on clinical exposure, workplace readiness skills, and mentorship from healthcare professionals while serving their local community.
“My experience at Mass General Brigham was hands-on and it has helped me gain a different perspective as to what direct patient care looks like,” said senior Myrene Ahmed, who will study pre-medicine at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences this fall. “Being a Medical Assisting student has fueled my passion for healthcare. With hands-on experience and training, I feel prepared for my future career. This pathway has been my greatest support, and I could not be more grateful for the opportunities it has provided me.”
The practicum experience allows students to apply classroom instruction in authentic healthcare environments, helping them build confidence, professionalism, and technical competencies aligned with industry expectations. Students have opportunities to observe and participate in patient-centered care, healthcare operations, communication practices, and clinical procedures under appropriate supervision.
“This partnership is an incredible opportunity for our students,” said Mario Sousa, Director of Career and Technical Education at Salem High School. “Providing students with direct access to a respected healthcare institution like Salem Hospital allows them to connect classroom learning with meaningful, real-world experiences. It not only strengthens their technical skills, but also helps students envision themselves as future healthcare professionals serving their own community.”
Representatives from Mass General Brigham Salem Hospital emphasized the importance of investing in healthcare professionals and building strong community partnerships that support local students and workforce pipelines.
“Salem Hospital and Mass General Brigham are committed to teaching the next generation of healthcare professionals and are proud of this first cohort of Salem students,” said Roxanne Ruppel, President and COO of Salem Hospital. “We strive to provide high-quality care close to home for our North Shore communities, and hands-on workforce development ensures we can continue this important work in the future.”
The collaboration also reflects SHS’s continued commitment to expanding equitable access to high-quality career pathways and work-based learning experiences. Salem High School’s Medical Assisting program prepares students with industry-aligned training, employability skills, and opportunities to earn credentials that support both immediate employment and postsecondary success.
By working together, SHS and Salem Hospital are creating meaningful opportunities for students to explore healthcare careers, develop professional skills, and contribute positively to the North Shore community.
This event is consistent with the District’s Strategic Plan, particularly the core tenets of elevating learning; as well as the Portrait of a Graduate’s six core skills with which SHS students attain by graduation.
About Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts, a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens through which we view our work. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff unconditionally serves each of our 4,000 students across 11 schools regardless of ability or language.
