At McCaskey High School, students aren’t only preparing for graduation, they are stepping into conversations that shape the future of healthcare and equity.
That work was on full display through the Patients R Waiting Pipeline Dreams High School program, where seven McCaskey students: Isabel Roman, Isabela Lytle, Leah Lovell, London Lewis, Mya Hammond, Rosh Arias, and Yamila Segura, recently completed a 12-week journey culminating in the Student Research Expo. There, each student delivered a 10-minute presentation, sharing original research proposals focused on health equity with a panel of judges, community members, and guests.
What they presented reflected far more than academic growth. It reflected awareness and a willingness to engage with some of the most pressing challenges facing our communities.
Patients R Waiting, a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating health disparities by increasing diversity in medicine, is expanding the pipeline of minority clinicians, make that pipeline less leaky, and support clinicians throughout their careers. Pipeline Dreams is a critical part of that work, creating early access and sustained support for students who may one day lead within the healthcare field.
Over the course of the program, students engaged in a hybrid learning experience that blended weekly virtual sessions with immersive, in-person opportunities. They explored more than 15 careers across medicine, healthcare, and public health, gaining exposure to pathways they may not have otherwise encountered. Through weekly sessions with Black and brown healthcare professionals, students built not only knowledge, but also connection and representation, seeing themselves reflected in spaces where they have historically been underrepresented.
At the same time, students were challenged to think critically about the systems that shape health outcomes. In small groups, they examined the root causes of racial and ethnic health disparities, using public health frameworks to guide their thinking. They asked difficult questions about access, environment, and systemic inequities, then worked collaboratively to develop research proposals that aimed to address those challenges.
Health equity means that everyone has the opportunity to be as healthy as possible. Yet disparities in outcomes persist. For example, African American children are more likely to die from asthma compared to non-Hispanic White children. These realities are lived experiences that call for informed and sustained action.
Pipeline Dreams creates space for that work to begin. Through mentorship, collaboration, and real-world application, students refined their ideas and strengthened their ability to communicate them. By the time they reached the Student Research Expo, they were were proposing solutions and contributing meaningfully to conversations that extend far beyond the classroom.
“Over the past three months, it has truly been a privilege to work with these students,” said Karisa Augustine, Director of Pipeline Programs. “We have watched them grow in confidence, deepen their understanding of health equity, and step into their potential as future leaders in medicine.”
Experiences like this reflect the School District of Lancaster’s broader commitment to equity, access, and meaningful learning. Pipeline Dreams brings that vision to life.
It connects students to purpose. It challenges them to think critically about the world around them. And it reinforces that the next generation of clinicians, researchers, and advocates is already here, building the skills, knowledge, and perspective needed to create a more equitable future. At McCaskey, that future is something our students are already shaping.
