At Gothenburg Health, supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals isn’t just a goal — it’s a passion. Through new and ongoing initiatives, the organization is proud to provide hands-on learning opportunities, mentorship, and exposure to a wide variety of medical and adjacent career paths.

Earlier this year, Gothenburg Health launched a new intern program designed to give high school and college students firsthand experience in a professional healthcare setting. The program was featured in a recent article and has already made a positive impact by helping students explore and prepare for future careers in the field.

In addition to this program, Gothenburg Health is currently hosting several college-level students pursuing degrees in various areas of healthcare. Three nursing students from Mid-Plains Community College — Caleb Allen, Kaylee Miller, and Morgan Bowers — are completing clinical rotations on site as they prepare to graduate in May.

Caleb Allen, originally from South Dakota, hopes to work in critical access nursing in Cambridge while also pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). In addition to graduation, he is also planning for an upcoming wedding in May.

Kaylee Miller, from North Platte, aspires to become a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse, while Morgan Bowers, originally from Lexington, has a strong interest in geriatrics and rural healthcare. “I am eager to learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully to patient well-being,” Bowers said.

Also gaining valuable experience at Gothenburg Health is Hannah Harrison, a student in the new University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) dietetics program based in Kearney. A Gothenburg High School graduate, Harrison earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with minors in Nutrition and Health Science and is now working toward becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

Her husband, Brady Harrison — also a GHS graduate — has completed his 14-week final rotation under occupational therapist Craig Johnson as part of his Doctoral Capstone this spring. Brady will begin a full-time position as a Doctor of Occupational Therapy at Gothenburg Health in early summer.

Gothenburg Health also frequently hosts medical students who shadow providers in the Rural Health Clinic. These experiences provide aspiring physicians with insight into the unique challenges and rewards of practicing medicine in a rural setting.

Outside of clinical training, Gothenburg Health staff recently attended the Dawson County Career Fair to connect with area high school students interested in a wide range of health-related careers. In addition to medical roles like physicians, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, and lab techs, critical access hospitals like Gothenburg Health rely on professionals in areas such as food and nutrition, accounting, billing, maintenance, information technology, human resources, supply chain, marketing, environmental services and more.

“Healthcare isn’t just about doctors and nurses,” said Krystle Sandman, Chief Human Resource Officer. “It takes a full team of dedicated professionals — from every department — to deliver high-quality care.”

Gothenburg Health remains committed to being a leader in rural healthcare while helping train and support individuals who want to make a difference in their communities.