Trinity High School Opens the Catholic Health Center for Medicine and Research

On February 6, the newly-created Catholic Health Center for Medicine and Research at Holy Trinity Diocesan High School in Hicksville, NY, was blessed by Bishop Robert J. Coyle, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Two Holy Trinity students were also presented with the Catholic Health Scholarship for Excellence in Medical Science.

At the entrance to the Center is a quote from 1993 Nobel Prize winner Joseph H. Taylor, Jr. asserting: “Our knowledge of God is made larger with every discovery we make about the world.” This sums up the philosophy behind the initiative, which builds on Holy Trinity’s mission to educate students in the pursuit of truth and academic excellence while being a living witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When young people have the opportunity to learn about the marvels of creation, they come to a better understanding of the Creator.

Through an exciting partnership with Catholic Health, Holy Trinity is able to provide their students with state-of-the-art STEM equipment, including an Anatomage Anatomy Table and VEX Robotics, while also creating opportunities for direct interaction with medical professionals within the Catholic Health network. This initiative will allow students at Holy Trinity to take academic courses rooted in the health profession while at the same time having various co-curricular experiences that will enhance their knowledge and understanding of medicine and research. By ensuring that all Holy Trinity students have access to the technology and resources in the Center for Medicine and Research, the school is making a strong commitment to continuing education in these critical fields that are in high demand.

The Catholic Health Center for Medicine and Research was made possible thanks to a generous lead gift from Dr. Patrick Annello, a 1995 Holy Trinity graduate and a Catholic Health physician who worked with school principal Jim Grillo to make the school’s vision a reality. A grant from The Philips Charitable Foundation, coupled with a sponsorship from Catholic Health, allowed Holy Trinity to bring the project to completion in time for the start of the 2022-23 school year.

Here are some facts about the Catholic Health Center for Medicine and Research at Holy Trinity:

Key Components

• Catholic Health Scholars (Merit-based grant for two rising seniors each year).
• Addition of an anatomy table and minor upgrades to lab technology to facilitate the curriculum.
• Ability for students in the program to shadow healthcare professionals and engage in other hands-on personal learning experiences.
• On-site visits and mentorship from Catholic Health professionals at scheduled intervals throughout the school year.
• Priority access for Holy Trinity students to various internships and summer programs.

 

Student Experience

• Students will take upper-level courses, including Anatomy, Physiology, Psychology, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics, Forensics, and STEM with a specific focus on medicine, research, and healthcare.
• Access to healthcare professionals throughout the Catholic Health System providing students with hands-on experiences, personal interactions, and professional connections.
• Participation in biannual Surgical Symposium at Good Samaritan University Hospital.
• The academic curriculum and hands-on experiences in health professions will provide students with a solid foundation in this discipline and inform decisions about college choice, career goals and plans.
• The Medicine and Research learning community will be a group of highly motivated students who will enjoy the benefits of sharing common academic and co-curricular experiences in the health professions while making new friends, exploring common interests and being a part of a close community of peers.

Program Benefits

• Increased academic rigor in the curriculum will raise the profile of the Holy Trinity graduate while exposing students to potential career opportunities.
• Real-world learning opportunities with health professionals will create an avenue for Catholic Health to form a meaningful partnership with a Diocesan school.
• This program of distinction will be unique to Holy Trinity, strengthening our competitive position among other Catholic high schools.