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More than 600 high school juniors and seniors from 18 schools filled the halls and labs of â��77����’s Downers Grove Campus on March 3 and 4 for the 21st annual Health Sciences Career Day for High Schools.

Held during MWU’s spring break, the two-day event is facilitated by University faculty and more than 50 student volunteers. Each group rotates through hands-on workshops and tours, including the University’s Gross Anatomy Lab, gaining an up-close look at what a future in healthcare might hold.

This year’s program featured a wide variety of sessions, from optometry and osteopathic medicine to biomedical research, veterinary medicine, dentistry, and speech-language pathology.  “Our students were very impressed with the program. Several of them stated that today helped them to feel confident in their choice to pursue medicine,” said Brian Schutz, a College and Career Counselor at Argo Community High School.

For many visiting students, the variety of sessions helps clarify career interests.

“A lot of students are teetering between certain concentrations,” said Christina Rodriguez, a counselor at Lockport Township High School. “They’re thinking medical field or health sciences, but they’re just not sure what yet. I think this is perfect because they get to see different aspects and have that hands-on experience.”

Exploring Every Corner of Healthcare

Throughout the day, students moved between labs and classrooms to experience healthcare from multiple perspectives.

In Physical Therapy, students analyzed movement and balance. In Occupational Therapy, they experimented with adaptive equipment, sensory strategies, and splints used in hand therapy. The Physician Assistant session invited students to use simulation mannequins to listen to heart and lung sounds, while the Clinical Skills and Simulation Center offered mock code scenarios and practice with standardized patients.

In Optometry, students tested visual acuity, ocular dominance, and eye teaming skills. The Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine session introduced students to the philosophy of osteopathic care and demonstrated hands-on techniques for neck pain and sinus congestion.

Students interested in dentistry prepared and restored 3D-printed teeth, then scanned their work to evaluate it using 3-D digital dentistry technology, while aspiring researchers rotated through stations in the Core Facility to see advanced biomedical tools in action.

Other sessions covered pharmacy, psychology, genomic data in healthcare, veterinary medicine, ultrasound technology, speech-language pathology, and emergency response using an AED. Every student visited the Gross Anatomy Lab, where faculty and MWU students guided them through stations focused on musculoskeletal structures, thoracic and abdominal anatomy, and the central nervous system.

Brady Denio, a teacher at Naperville North High School who brought his Principles of Biomedical Sciences class, called the day “definitely worthwhile.”

“I thought the optometry portion was really hands-on, and the students really liked that,” he said. “Occupational therapy had them engaged, too. And at the very end, going through the anatomy lab was absolutely fascinating.”

Mr. Denio said he polled his students about returning next year. “They all said, absolutely. Everyone was great. The student guides were great at describing the campus and their experience. Everyone we ran into was just amazing.”

A Full Circle Moment

For some MWU students, Career Day feels personal.

Lillian Goorsky, a Doctor of Physical Therapy student (CHS-DG, PT ’27), attended the same program as a senior at Plainfield South High School in 2020. Now, she helps lead sessions in the PT lab.

“These kids were me six years ago,” Lillian said. “I was exactly where they were. Now getting to share my knowledge of the profession that I fell in love with with them, it’s just a full circle moment. It’s really great.”

First-year students also see the value in paying it forward.

Olivia Lane, a first-year Physician Assistant student (CHS-PA ’27), volunteered to escort groups throughout the day and share her experience as a Midwestern student.

“This is something I wish I had when I was in high school,” Olivia said. “It’s just fun to give back and give these students an opportunity that I wish I had.”

Kailey Cassidy, a first-year Doctor of Physical Therapy student (CHS-DG, PT ’28), agreed.

“I thought it would be a good opportunity to tell high schoolers about our experience and share the importance of the healthcare professional world,” Kailey said.

For many of the 600-plus students who visited the campus this week, the experience may not just inform a career decision. It may spark one. 

To continue exploring healthcare careers, �77���� also offers the Health Careers Institute, a free, five-day summer program for high school juniors and seniors held on the Downers Grove Campus. The program selects approximately 30 students each year for an immersive experience that provides deeper exposure to a variety of health professions through hands-on activities and interactions with faculty and students. Applications are due April 1, 2026.