Thirty Pine Bush High School students graduated from the Medical Summer Enrichment Academy Wednesday, with hands-on experiences, encouragement and knowledge from some formidable guest speakers and memories to last a lifetime.
The two-and-a-half week academy provided more than 90 hours of instruction in anatomy and physiology, and expertise from many guest speakers, including a medical examiner, a registered nurse, spinal rehab specialist and more.
The students who participated in the academy experienced Trauma Day, when they received training in case of a motor vehicle accident, a zombie apocalypse, an earthquake and a hiking accident, with the help of the Pine Bush Fire Department and the Pine Bush Ambulance Corp. They were taught field medicine with the Army National Guard and also picked up some survival medicine.
Mike Reineke taught CPR and by the end of the academy, all of the students were certified in it. He also provided a lesson in water rescue, the first time in the Medical Academy’s history. Representatives from Garnet Medical Center and Touro Osteopathic Medical School also shared their knowledge.
They spent some time on sports injuries, with the expertise of academy instructors Antonia Ciccarelli and Elizabeth Schmidtt. They learned what it’s like to be an athletic trainer, learned how to tape and brace, and how to evaluate and treat musculoskeletal injuries.
The group took its annual field trip to Philadelphia, visiting the Mutter Museum, the Franklin Institute, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Dr. Michael Raucci, who has run this program for more than a dozen years, thanked everyone who was involved in making this academy such a success, including district and high school administrators, a very supportive board of education.
He gave special thanks to his fellow instructors Antonia Ciccarelli, a CVMS science teacher and athletic trainer, Elizabeth Schmidtt, the district’s athletic trainer, and Julia Tanner, the instructional assistant for the academy.
Finally, Dr. Raucci thanked the families for their support and the students for their commitment to the program and for making it rewarding and successful.
“You all did a great job,” said Dr. Raucci. “You paid to come to school in the summer when you didn’t need to. We run this program to open your eyes to the possibilities science and healthcare careers can provide. I hope to see you all in my anatomy and physiology class, in our chemistry classes, our physics classes and our electives.”
But, he added, the students didn’t have to know what their future career will be. The goal, he said, is to explore different options.
“Remember that healthcare careers are rarely about the money,” he said. “They are about helping others and building relationships. Money is the external reward but the satisfaction of helping others is the true internal reward that keeps us going.”
Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Amy Brockner congratulated the students on completing the medical academy.
“This achievement is something to be proud of,” Ms. Brockner said. “It sets you apart and opens the door to many future possibilities. The dedication and effort you’ve shown have built a solid foundation, but it’s your passion and perseverance that will carry you forward.
“The world needs people like you – driven, caring and committed to making a difference,” she concluded.
Pine Bush High School Principal Aaron Hopmayer reiterated how proud he was of the students, not just for the work they did, but when they did it.
“I’m super proud of you for choosing to come to school in July,” he said. “When all of us work together, we do really good things for our kids.”
Congratulations to all the students who graduated from the Medical Academy! You make us Pine Bush proud!
2025 Medical Academy Graduates
- Madison Archible
- Cailyn Best
- Jeneveve Bush
- Reid Chen
- Alexis Cortright
- Autumn Davis
- Angelina Gellman
- Matthew Guzman
- Kelsen Jean
- McKenna Larson
- Kayla Lee
- Alyssa Magsamen
- Yimarlin Maria Jimenez
- Jenna Marshall
- Muhammed Mian
- Derek Moreno
- Emily Muro
- Emily Oliveras
- Umaiza Qureshi
- Lisbell Rios
- Cora Sarmiento
- Eva Sienkwicz
- Makenzie Starkes
- Alyanna Thompson
- Nicole Twardon
- Theresa Valcin
- Gabriel Walsh
- My’a Watson
- Logan Wendell
- Madison Woodruff
Instructors
- Dr. Michael Raucci
- Antonia Ciccarelli
- Elizabeth Schmidt
- Julia Tanner, Instructional Assistant