Health First Viera Hospital Inspires Future Healthcare Professionals During Student Exploration Day

approximately 70 BPS students participated in Student Exploration Day

WATCH:  The next generation of healthcare professionals took a step toward their future this week as approximately 70 Brevard Public Schools high school students gathered at Health First Viera Hospital for an immersive Student Exploration Day, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the teamwork, technology, and compassion that power modern healthcare.

BREVARD COUNTY • ROCKLEDGE, FLORIDA – The next generation of healthcare professionals took a step toward their future this week as approximately 70 Brevard Public School high school students gathered at Health First Viera Hospital for an immersive Student Exploration Day, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the teamwork, technology, and compassion that power modern healthcare.

Students spent the morning rotating through hands-on sessions, meeting healthcare professionals, and exploring the wide range of careers available inside a hospital.

Health First partnered with Brevard Public Schools to create the experience, which is designed to expose students to healthcare careers while helping develop the county’s future workforce.

“Health First is an exceptional partner in helping our nursing students gain real-world experience,” said Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell. “This collaboration strengthens our programs and supports Brevard County’s future healthcare workforce.”

At the start of the program, students were introduced to the many moving parts that make a hospital run and were given a behind-the-scenes look at how different services and professionals work together to care for patients and support the community.

Students rotated through interactive, 30-minute sessions designed to provide real-world insight and hands-on exposure to healthcare careers.

One of the highlights of the day was the opportunity for students to test-drive the Ion Robotic Bronchoscopy system from Intuitive, a cutting-edge technology that helps physicians detect lung conditions with greater precision. For many students, it was their first chance to interact with advanced medical robotics.

MaryJo Allen, Interim President of Viera Hospital at Health First, shared her own journey with the students and emphasized the importance of teamwork in healthcare.

“Hospitals like this operate because of a large team of professionals working side by side, all focused on improving the health and wellness of the communities we serve,” Allen said.

Allen began her career as a nurse and spent decades caring for patients at the bedside before moving into hospital leadership.

“Before stepping into hospital leadership, I spent many years at the bedside as a nurse. In fact, I’ve been a nurse for 26 years, and I knew from the age of seven that it was what I wanted to do,” she said.

She also encouraged students to think broadly about the many opportunities available in healthcare.

“It’s also important to know that nursing today is incredibly diverse. When people think about nursing, they often picture bedside care. That role is incredibly important, but it’s only one of many possibilities,” Allen said.

“And of course, healthcare is about much more than doctors and nurses. Behind every patient experience is a much larger team that includes therapists, pharmacists, imaging specialists, laboratory professionals, IT experts, administrators, marketing and many others.”

Allen told the students that every role contributes to patient care and community health.

“Every role plays a part in caring for our patients and supporting the health of our community,” she said. “Our community depends on people who are passionate about helping others, and many of you may very well become the next generation of caregivers serving right here in Brevard County.”
Dr. Kenneth Tieu, a bariatric and general surgeon with Health First who frequently performs robotic-assisted procedures, told students that passion and curiosity are key to a successful healthcare career.

“I think you got to be excited to do what you are in. If you’re not excited in what you do, you’re in the wrong profession,” Tieu said.

He also emphasized how quickly technology is transforming healthcare.

“I do a lot of robotics, for surgery, we use the robot. Technology is always changing. If you don’t keep up with that technology, you’re going to fall behind,” he said.

Tieu also stressed that surgical care relies on a coordinated team working together toward a common goal. “We’re all equals in there,” he said.
He also emphasized the importance of students understanding the role every member of the operating room team plays in ensuring the best possible outcome for patients.

As the event wrapped up, Allen encouraged students to reflect on the possibilities they witnessed.

“Healthcare is a field built on teamwork, compassion, and lifelong learning, and today is a chance to see what that looks like in action,” Allen said.
Allen said she hopes the day helped students better understand the many career paths available in healthcare while giving them meaningful insight from the professionals they met and the experiences they had throughout the visit.

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