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By Krista Ramsey

It never hurts to get a head start on your career, and Thomas Jefferson High School sophomore Madeline Sonnett is doing just that this summer.

Madeline Sonnett

She has been accepted into the University of Pittsburgh Health Career Scholars Academy (UPHCSA), which offers a rigorous, hands-on campus experience for academically talented students ages 15-18 who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine.

Sonnett, of Jefferson Hills, has her sights set on working in pediatrics and participated in the Teen Volunteer Program at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. She has spent almost 100 hours doing patient transport and working in the hospital’s inpatient playroom. “As a volunteer, I love watching everything that happens, but this program actually offers the opportunity to participate and get hands-on experience,” said Sonnett. “I am really looking forward to UPHSCA’s two-day shadowing program where we’ll visit local medical facilities to observe and interact with healthcare professionals at work.”

All students in the program choose a concentration course to study one area in depth. The courses vary from year to year, but have included health care for the chronically ill, geriatrics, and family and child, behavioral, global, and public health. UPHCSA develops students’ leadership skills, prepares them for college, and encourages a sense of responsibility for their community’s health status.

Sonnett is a member of TJ’s Track and Cross-Country teams, is a class advisor, and participates in the Science, Spanish, Interact, Big Jag/Little Cub, and Drama clubs. She will attend UPHCSA from June 26–July 23 and stay the dorms at Pitt’s Oakland campus. She plans to apply there her senior year.

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