In the vibrant heart of Las Vegas, a grassroots movement is reshaping the future of healthcare, and it’s being spearheaded not by seasoned professionals, but by an ambitious 18-year-old student named Brianna Shaw. Just over a year ago, she took a bold step to launch a program aimed at increasing the healthcare workforce in Southern Nevada, a region grappling with significant provider shortages.
This initiative began within the walls of Green Valley High School, where Shaw recognized the gap between available healthcare career paths and the students eager to explore them. “I’ve known since I was a little girl that I wanted to be in the medical field,” Shaw shared enthusiastically. Her vision was clear: to create a space where students could gain firsthand experience in healthcare, inspiring them to pursue professions as doctors, nurses, and other vital roles.
One of Shaw’s main motivations was the ongoing healthcare workforce shortage that affects her community. “There are so many kids like me who are interested in the medical field but don’t always have the opportunities to actually see what it’s like,” she explained. By establishing a medical society, Shaw aimed to bridge that gap, providing access to invaluable resources and experiences.
Since its inception, the program has expanded rapidly. Shaw’s initiative has inspired the formation of medical society chapters in six additional high schools across the Las Vegas valley. This growth underscores a burgeoning interest among students to engage with the healthcare sector robustly. Just recently, nearly 100 students congregated at the renowned Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, celebrating the significant strides they’ve made together.
Shaw reflected on the journey thus far, stating, “We’ve gotten to tour medical schools, colleges, and hospitals. We also get to talk to experienced physicians.” Such interactions not only provide students with insights into their future careers but also nurture vital professional relationships that one day could guide them in their journey. Local healthcare leaders, including Diego Trujillo, CEO of Las Vegas HEALS, are actively supporting Shaw’s initiative, facilitating connections between these aspiring healthcare professionals and real-world medical environments.
Trujillo emphasized the importance of creating pathways for local students. “What our goal has been — bringing together healthcare — has been to knock that barrier down and facilitate experiences for them,” he said. His vision aligns perfectly with Shaw’s; both recognize the crucial role of local talent in addressing the region’s healthcare challenges, including physician and nursing shortages and the need for specialty care.
With a myriad of issues facing healthcare in Southern Nevada, Shaw’s ambitions extend beyond just awareness. When asked how she plans to assist in solving these challenges, she responded, “I have so many goals. What I love most about this club is that it shows me anything is possible through perseverance. You can dream big and achieve your goals.” Her passion shines through in her statement that her commitment to her community will remain steadfast: “This is my home, and I want to make a difference here.”
Shaw’s journey is a testament to the power of individual initiative and the impact of community support. It serves as a reminder that sometimes, all it takes is one passionate person to ignite change, inspiring those around them to envision a future where the healthcare workforce is not just a dream but a reality.