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Recently, 77 students from under-resourced NYC high-schools graduated from The New Jewish Home’s Geriatrics Career Development (GCD) program and are on their way to becoming the next generation of health care professionals. The graduation took place at Lehman College in The Bronx.

The three-year after school program aims to support high school students in pursuit of a career in health care by immersing them into the long-term-care setting with thousands of hours of training, education, activities and clinical care provided to older adults each year.

This year’s graduating class, the program’s largest high school class, attests to the success that the GCD program can bring to its students. Every student is on track to graduate high school; and nearly every student will attend college this fall – receiving over 500 letters of college acceptance and over $1.5 million in financial assistance combined – with majors including: biology, nursing, bio-chemistry, psychology and computer science.

Within the graduating class, one student was accepted into a 7-year BS/MD program at CUNY Medical School, while another plans to attend New York University in the Fall. In addition, one student will proudly serve in the Army.

Jeffrey I. Farber, M.D., President & CEO of The New Jewish Home, delivered the opening remarks to the students. He said, “It’s clear you’ve all worked extremely hard. You’ve spent more than 8,000 hours with our older adults, helping care for them and serving as their mentees. Through this experience, I know you’ve learned the secret to a good life: that through helping those in need, we lift up ourselves.”

Also speaking at the 11th GCD graduation ceremony was Board Chair of The New Jewish Home Michael Luskin.
Luskin in his closing remarks said, “Graduates, you have achieved so much during your three years at GCD. You’re our future leaders in the health care field and we see your passion and motivation to provide exceptional care. We see the deep respect you have for older adults. And it’s inspiring.”
Currently, 89% of the class has passed allied health certification exams, including 53 Certified Nursing Assistants and 21 Patient Care Technicians, which have allowed students to complete an internship at The New Jewish Home’s various nursing units this year.

The New Jewish Home is a comprehensive, mission-driven health care system serving older New Yorkers since 1848.