Medical Career Pathway

The Med School at Manual is designed to immerse students in classes and work-based learning that allows them to explore a variety of medical careers. Students enrolled in the program are given multiple unique opportunities for education and future employment including:

Med School students visit local hospitals and laboratories, meet professionals in a variety of healthcare fields, and practice their skills with hands-on activities.  They participate in field trips (Career X), connect with mentors in the healthcare industry (Career Coach), and participate in internship opportunities during the summer and school day (Career Launch). These experiences and course curricula are the backbone of the program.  Together, they help students identify which medical track they want to pursue.

The Med School at Manual supports students’ access to careers in health care, which include: Doctor, Nurse, Nutritionist, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Dentist, Dental Hygienist, Radiologist, Phlebotomist, and Forensic Scientist.

Students also have access to complete an Industry Certification in one of the following areas while in high school: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Certified Patient Care Technician, Medical Administrative Assistant, Emergency Medical Responder/National Registry EMT, Pharmacy Technician, Certified EKG Technician, Medical Assisting, Phlebotomy, and National Entry Level Dental Assistant.

Apply to The Med School at Manual

For more information contact Hannah Meshenuk CTE Director The Med School at Manual High School, via email or call 720-423-6379.

Curriculum Overview

Med School at Manual students will visit local hospitals and laboratories to meet professionals in related fields and practice their skills with activities such as dissection (Career X), connect with mentors in the field (Career Coach), and participate in internship opportunities during the summer and school day (Career Launch).  Below is a list of classes students take as a member of the Med School:

Health Sciences 1

Students walk into class the first day to find a police scene! Anna Martinez is dead. Was it her angry business partner or jealous ex-husband, or did she put herself into a deadly blood sugar coma? Students will use forensics skills to uncover the crime scene and identify the cause of death. Throughout the year, students will also explore the leading causes of death in the United States and learn how to protect themselves and their family from these common diseases. Finally, students will participate in a blood spatter lab, DNA extraction and learn CPR.

Health Sciences 2

Starting with an empty skeleton, students will gradually build in the organs using clay then create a disease in one of their body systems and kill their “person” off! Students will complete many dissections to discover what an eye is made of, how a joint works, or how kidneys function. Throughout the entire class, students will break the body down into its systems and learn how they function. Once students gain this insight, they will be given patient case studies, which they will have to research, diagnose and recommend treatment.

Healthcare Community Partnerships

Saint Joseph’s Hospital
Inner City Health Center – FACES for the Future
Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)

Saint Joseph’s Hospital

By collaborating with Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Med School at Manual students gain real world coaching and mentoring that help position them for further training in medical fields. Specifically, students receive:

FACES for the Future – Inner City Health Center

The Med School program collaborates with FACES for the Future, a program that connects schools, health professionals and the community. Through the FACES for the Future partnership with Inner City Health, students receive health careers training that connects the classroom to the workplace. Students are exposed to professional opportunities in health care through in a variety of health system departments including emergency medicine, the birthing center and nursing. The program includes a FACES “boot camp” to make sure students and patients are safe while maintaining respect and empathy for those in the hospital. Students then participate in their internship rotations throughout Inner City Health for two years.

Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)

HOSA is an international student organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Education (HSE) Division of ACTE. HOSA provides a unique program of leadership development, motivation, and recognition exclusively for secondary, postsecondary, adult, and collegiate students enrolled in health science education and biomedical science programs or have interests in pursuing careers in health professions.

The Med School at Manual Testimonials

As a proud Thunderbolt graduate, I’m thrilled to see Manual High School offer such a rigorous track for its students. The Med School graduates will be better prepared for life after high school and will undoubtedly bring young, eager talent into the workforce here in Denver and across the country as well.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock

The Med School program at Manual has changed my life because now I have the training, discipline and support I need to become the professional I want to be. The one-on-one instruction, small classrooms and hands on experience with medical professionals makes me feel like a doctor already and that gives me the confidence I need to be successful when I graduate.

Dane’Ha, former Med School at Manual  student