WORCESTER – High school juniors and seniors from Worcester Public Schools (WPS) will be participating in the 2025 Pipeline Dreams Program, a 12-week learning experience organized by the UMass Chan Collaborative in Health Equity.
The Pipeline Dreams Program, which began on January 15 at UMass Chan Medical School, is intended to expose students to future careers in medicine, scientific research and public health. The program aims to address racial disparities in the healthcare industry. Pipeline Dream's is a program of Patients R Waiting, Inc.
WPS high schools represented in this year’s Pipeline Dreams Program include Claremont Academy, Doherty Memorial High School, North High School, South High Community School, and Worcester Technical High School.
“This program will allow our students to expand their horizons and explore potential career interests while fostering a sense of belonging in these historically underrepresented fields,” said Superintendent Rachel H. Monárrez. “We believe this program will help WPS students build the skills and confidence needed for successful careers in healthcare.”
Over the next 12 weeks, students will take part in-person and virtual sessions with UMass Chan scientists, clinicians and undergraduate teaching assistants. The sessions are designed to provide hands-on learning experiences and introduce students to a range of health-related careers.
The program supports students from underrepresented backgrounds and provides them with a path to higher education and careers in healthcare. The initiative includes a health equity book club, monthly community calls, and an annual Diversity in Medicine Conference.
“We want to provide these students with the resources and mentorship to help them understand the range of careers available in healthcare,” said Dr. Cherise Hamblin, Assistant Professor at UMass Chan and Director of Community Workforce Development for the UMass Chan Collaborative in Health Equity.
Below is a list of WPS students in the 2025 Pipeline Dreams Program:
Dania Abdulrazaq - North High School
Elizabeth Abeka-Bannerman - North High School
Priscilla Agboloh - North High School
Wisdom Asare - North High School
Sindy Bajrami - Doherty Memorial High School
Maria Bittencourt - South High Community School
Anyiah Booker - North High School
Sofia Carolina Carrion Espinoza - North High School
Victoria DeBoise - Claremont Academy
Alisson Granadino Trejo - Worcester Technical High School
Shahmir Irving - North High School
Valerie Leonor Flores - North High School
Nakeisha Moise - North High School
Chelsea Okantey - North High School
Yadielys Otero - North High School
Shayla Thai - North High School
Natasha Thornton - North High School
Gabriela Valles - Worcester Technical High School
Olive White - South High Community School