Essentia Health helps bring health sciences classroom to Northern Cass

HUNTER, N.D. — Some local high school students can now get a head start on a health career before graduating.

Through a new health sciences classroom, with support from Essentia Health, 62 students will be learning lessons such as the fundamentals of nursing, prevention care and even what it takes to be a pharmacy technician.

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The students work with dummy patients throughout the class, named Bobby Jo and Billy Jo.

The courses will allow the students to become certified nurse aides if they pass.

“They think, health care, OK, I got to be a nurse, I got to be a doctor … they don’t get the whole ‘Here’s what else you can do,’” said Northern Cass Superintendent Terry Baesler. “There’s tech jobs out there. There’s, you know, behind the scenes, there’s HR (human resources) jobs out there. And I think having that tied in … that is fantastic.”

Ryan McNamara joined WDAY as a reporter in late 2024. He is a native of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and graduated from St. Cloud State University in 2024.

His time as a Husky included copious amounts of time spent at “The Herb” reporting on Husky hockey, or at Halenbeck Hall calling Husky basketball. He also spent two summers with the Northwoods League’s St. Cloud Rox. Along with his duties in news and sports, Ryan dons a headset for occasional play-by-play broadcasts for North Dakota and Minnesota high school sports.

When he’s away from the station, he’s most likely lifting, finding time to golf, or taking in as much college basketball as possible, in order to complete the elusive perfect March Madness bracket.

Author: Health Watch Minute

Health Watch Minute Provides the latest health information, from around the globe.