A unique partnership between The Children’s Hospital, the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and Millennium Quest High School has reached an important milestone.

The partnership is known as the Medical Career Collaborative. The program provides students with a sustained internship experience in hospitals and other medical clinics and settings. The 2002-2003 school year marks the first time that students have been in the program for their entire high school experience.

Later this week, six seniors will be given a chance to reflect on their years of experience during a special lunch at The Children’s Hospital.

The banquet lunch will begin at noon on Friday, Dec. 20 at Tammen Hall Auditorium at Children’s (1056 E. 19th Ave.) The lunch is for the seniors, their mentors, families and special guests.

Three seniors have been in the program for all four years - Yesenia Garcia, Kimberly Horton, and Brandie O’Donnell. Other seniors in the program are Leticia Avalos (three years), Brieana Dallas (two) and Sheena Porter (two).

The students have had a variety of experiences, including work in radiology, neonatal intensive care, and the emergency department. Field excursions have taken them to burn units, clinical skills labs, animal research labs, and neurodiagnostics, among others.

Students in the program must have at least a 2.5 grade point average upon entering the program and must strive to maintain a 3.0 GPA thereafter.

For more information, please contact Kate Fanganello at The Children’s Hospital, 303-764-8027.