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Health Careers Program

Health Careers Program

Health Careers Academy

High School

The Mid-Carolina AHEC, Inc. offers the Health Careers Academy (HCA) for high school students. The HCA activities promote academic success, career development and personal growth for students. Dive into the future of healthcare with our Virtual Health Careers Program, tailored for high school participants in Aiken, Cherokee, Kershaw, Newberry, and Union. Engage with interactive modules and live webinars that offer a deep dive into healthcare professions and topics.

Mid-Carolina AHEC Inc. offers two in-person academy locations:

Midlands Location
Richland, Lexington, Fairfield, Kershaw Counties

Upper Midlands Location
Chester, Lancaster, York Counties

Academy Dates: The Health Careers Academy conducts its sessions annually from September-April. Each new academic year begins with an orientation held in August.

Enrollment Process: The application for the 2026–2027 in-person sessions is now open. Please submit your completed application to your respective coordinator by Friday, June 19, 2026. Acceptance letters will be distributed the following week.

Middle School

The Mid-Carolina AHEC, Inc. offers the Health Careers Academy (HCA) Medical Explorers Program for middle school students. The HCA activities promote academic success, career development and personal growth for students. The HCA also helps families understand that the path to becoming a health professional begins in middle school.

Midlands Location
Richland, Lexington, Fairfield, Kershaw Counties

Upper Midlands Location
Chester, Lancaster, York Counties

Academy Dates: The Health Careers Academy conducts its sessions annually from December-April. Each new academic year begins with an orientation held in December.

Enrollment Process: The in-person session applications for the 2026-2027 academic year will open on September 1, 2026.

Undergraduate

Applications for the 2025 Summer Enrichment Programs are now CLOSED. We welcome you to return in February 2026 to explore the program options available for next year. Thank you for your interest!

Enrollment Process Section Undergraduate: For information about upcoming summer internship opportunities, please contact HCP Coordinators Whitney Amaker at wamaker@midcarolinaahec.org and Madison Sweatt at msweatt@midcarolinaahec.org via email.

Statewide Services: Seminars & Modules

Several statewide education seminars will be offered during the academic year, conducted virtually by videoconference. Students will learn more about health careers, public health topics, personal health, and understanding the healthcare needs of South Carolina.

South Carolina AHEC offers free, self-paced, online modules open to students in the state interested in careers in healthcare. The topics fall into three categories: career preparation, soft skills, and healthcare terms and trends.
Program Listings

Virtual Program

Dive into the future of healthcare with our Virtual Health Careers Program, tailored for high school participants in Aiken, Cherokee, Kershaw, Newberry, and Union. Engage with interactive modules and live webinars that offer a deep dive into healthcare professions and topics. Join us to uncover the path to your career in healthcare!

* For those eager to experience class sessions firsthand, in-person sessions are available. Please contact your regional coordinators for location details.

Academy Expectations: Participants should strive to achieve and maintain high academic standards by actively taking part in course modules and attending virtual webinars.

Academy Dates: The Health Careers Academy conducts its sessions annually from October-March. Each new academic year begins with an orientation held in October.

Enrollment Process: - Enrollment Process Section Virtual Program:  The Virtual Program Applications for the 2026-2027 Virtual Health Careers Program will open on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

While the Health Careers Program does not offer academic credits, students have the opportunity to earn certifications such as CPR and CNA. It's important to note that students must maintain academic expectations throughout the program to be eligible for these certifications.

The Health Careers Academy is composed of several elements: face-to-face events, online learning modules, volunteer service initiatives, live online webinars, summer enrichment programs, and chances to connect with medical professionals and local leaders.

In the Health Careers Program, activities typically take place during after-school hours. The exact timing may vary depending on the program schedule.

To begin, students should choose the program option that best suits them. Once the enrollment form is completed, it should be submitted to the respective HCP Coordinator. For in-person sessions, each location has its own coordinator, and their contact information can be found on the program page.

The Health Careers Explorers' Program is open to students currently in 8th grade. Those progressing into 9th grade up to students entering 12th grade are welcome to join the Health Careers Program. Additionally, graduating high school seniors and college students are eligible for our Undergraduate Program.

In the Health Careers Program, we make sure to introduce students to a wide range of healthcare career options available right here in South Carolina. Our goal is to provide exposure to various paths and not limit the focus to just one type of health career. While students have the freedom to explore and concentrate on their preferred career choice, we also strive to showcase different options that may spark their interest. This approach allows students to gain a comprehensive understanding of the various opportunities within the field.

Our Services

  • Exploration into Health Careers
  • Health Professions Mentoring
  • Pre-Health Skills Building
  • Student Advising
  • College & University Visits
  • Hands-on Skills Training

Counties We Serve

Aiken, Cherokee, Chester, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lexington, Newberry, Richland, Union, and York

Program Coordinators

Whitney Amaker
Health Careers Program Coordinator
803-287-4900

Madison Sweatt
Health Careers Program Coordinator
803-246-0321

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Mid-Carolina AHEC Area Health Education Center

1824 Highway 9 ByPass West
P.O. Box 2049
Lancaster, SC 29721

803.286.4121

Strengthening the healthcare workforce
throughout central South Carolina - especially in rural areas.

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Kaitlyn Rabon
Data/Media Specialist

Kaitlyn joined Mid-Carolina AHEC in 2026 as our data/media specialist. Prior to joining AHEC, she worked in healthcare administration for two years with MUSC Health Lancaster Medical Center and five and a half years with Carolina Urology Partners. Kaitlyn has a passion for bridging healthcare with technology and is always looking for ways to better streamline data entry.

In her free time, Kaitlyn enjoys traveling, attending concerts, taking the boat out on the lake, and hanging out with Cove, her Boykin Spaniel.

Sydney Price
Workforce Development Manager

Born and raised in Florence, South Carolina, I’ve always been passionate about community growth and helping people find their path. Today, I’m thrilled to bring that passion to life as the Workforce Development Manager at Mid-Carolina AHEC, where I will connect students and professionals with the training and resources they need to thrive in healthcare careers.

My own educational journey was diverse—I graduated in 2022 with an Associate of Science from Florence-Darlington Tech alongside a BS in History (with Anthropology and Biology collaterals) from Francis Marion University. This unique mix of science and human-centered studies has fueled my background in higher education and recruitment.

I thrive in collaborative environments and love working closely with my colleagues toward a shared mission. At the end of the day, my greatest sense of accomplishment comes from directly supporting others and watching them reach their personal and professional goals.

Madison Sweatt
Health Careers Program Coordinator

Madison joined Mid-Carolina AHEC in January 2026 as a Health Careers Program Coordinator, where she serves as a liaison between middle/high school students and health profession exploration. She attended the University of South Carolina Lancaster, where she received her Associate of Science, and finished her education through the USC Palmetto College in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership.

Madison comes to us with a background in Occupational Health and Safety, where she worked for the SCDOT, serving to ensure safety compliance and to reduce workplace risks. She also has nearly 5 years of bedside healthcare experience as a Certified Nurse's Aide. As a Lancaster native, it is important to Madison to serve as a mentor and a resource for our students. She believes encouraging students to find a sustainable health career path in their community is not only beneficial for the student but also beneficial for the community as a whole.

Madison married her husband in 2025, and they have the sweetest baby girl! On the weekends, you can find her at your local dirt track, cheering on her husband.

Kim Roberts
Office Administrator

Kim has been with Mid-Carolina AHEC since 2000. She has 25 years experience in the accounting field. Kim received her associate degree in accounting from York Technical College in 1992. She manages the operational functions within the office, as well as, administers the accounting functions associated with the financial records.

Katelyn Bailey
Continuing Professional Development Coordinator

Katelyn Bailey, BS earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from the College of Charleston in 2017. In October 2018 she began working at Mid-Carolina AHEC as a continuing professional development coordinator and knew that was where she was meant to be. Katelyn enjoys working closely with the hospital educators to plan classes and provide new and interesting education courses. She hopes to help grow AHEC and expand its reach. She is a vital part of the CPD team and we enjoy having her bubbly personality in the office!

Pam Harper
Continuing Professional Development Administrator and Community Training Center Administrator

Pam joined Mid-Carolina AHEC in 1996 as the Course Administrator, bringing valuable administrative support to the organization. As an integral member of the Continuing Professional Development team, she plays a key role in the execution of educational programs. In addition to her administrative responsibilities, Pam oversees website management, marketing initiatives, and database operations. Pam is also responsible for processing CPR eCards for both students and instructors through Mid-Carolina AHEC’s Community Training Center.

Hope Jewett
Continuing Professional Development Specialist

Hope Jewett, BA, joined Mid-Carolina AHEC in 2022 as a Continuing Professional Development Specialist. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Accounting from Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC. Before joining AHEC, she managed a real estate company in Lexington, SC, where she gained valuable experience in organization and business operations. In her current role, Hope is passionate about facilitating engaging and impactful educational programs to healthcare professionals throughout the Midlands region. Outside of her professional work, Hope runs a small business specializing in handmade pet accessories and frequently travels to craft shows along the Eastern U.S. coast. She brings the same creativity and dedication to her entrepreneurial ventures as she does to her work in healthcare education.

Casey Cato
Health Professions Student Coordinator

Casey joined Mid-Carolina AHEC in March 2019 as a Health Professions Student (HPS) Coordinator. Since 2021, she has also served as the Site Coordinator for the VCOM – Carolinas campus in Spartanburg. She holds a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BAIS) degree with a concentration in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina. Prior to joining the AHEC team, Casey dedicated 30 years to teaching, with experience spanning grades 4K through 3rd grade. She is passionate about working with health professions students and is committed to supporting their development and enhancing their educational experiences, particularly in rural communities.

In her spare time, Casey enjoys spending quality time with her family and cherishing her role as a CiCi (grandmother) to her granddaughter.

Rebecca Jackson
Continuing Professional Development Coordinator

Rebecca Jackson BSN, RN joined Mid-Carolina AHEC in 2011 as a Continuing Professional Development Coordinator. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from the University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, SC. Prior to joining AHEC, she worked in medical surgical nursing, patient education, critical care nursing, home health and hospice. Rebecca enjoys working with healthcare professionals to ensure they meet their educational goals.

Sara Newton
Health Professions Student Coordinator

Sara Newton joined Mid-Carolina AHEC in Fall 2021 as a Health Professions Student Coordinator, where she supports and mentors students on their journey toward becoming healthcare professionals. A proud native of Lancaster, South Carolina, Sara is deeply committed to serving her hometown and the broader Mid-Carolina AHEC region.

Sara attended the University of South Carolina Lancaster and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies in 2014 through USC’s Palmetto College, with focused coursework in psychology, anthropology, and history. She went on to receive a Master of Education in Counseling and Development with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Winthrop University in 2016.

Her professional background includes work in behavioral health, where she served as a counselor in an inpatient setting, as well as roles in utilization management and risk management. These experiences have strengthened her compassion for others and her dedication to providing student support.

Outside of work, Sara enjoys spending quality time with her family, reading, and traveling to both the beach and the mountains.

Whitney Amaker
Health Careers Coordinator

Whitney Amaker joined Mid-Carolina AHEC in August 2017 as the Health Careers Program Coordinator. In this role, she is dedicated to inspiring and guiding students as they explore opportunities in the healthcare field. Whitney earned her Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences, with a concentration in Adolescent Studies, from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC.

A Columbia, SC native, Whitney has always been passionate about supporting and mentoring young adults as they navigate their educational and career paths. She brings a strong commitment to youth development and community engagement to her work at AHEC.

Whitney married her husband in 2022 and now lives with her family in Florence, SC. She is also a proud mother to a spirited 6-year-old, which fuels her passion for helping shape the future for the next generation.

Cheri Plyer
Director

Cheri Plyler serves as the Executive Director of Mid-Carolina AHEC, Inc., an 11-county regional center within the South Carolina AHEC system. With a multifaceted background as a clinician, educator, and financial steward, she leads the implementation, execution, and evaluation of programs tied to federal, state, and local contracts.

Cheri holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences from the Medical University of South Carolina and a Master of Business Administration from Pfeiffer University. She collaborates regionally with healthcare and education partners to advance initiatives in continuing professional development, health careers exploration, and clinical training for health professions students.

At the state level, she works closely with academic institutions, hospitals, and community stakeholders to strengthen the healthcare workforce pipeline—particularly in rural and underserved communities. Nationally, Cheri contributes her expertise through service on the National AHEC Organization’s Education Committee and Model AHEC grant review panels.

Outside of her professional role, Cheri enjoys cooking, gardening, and spending cherished time with her two grandchildren.