Beginning in the 2020-2021 school year, Cathedral Prep and Villa Maria Academy will introduce the newly created MedPath program.

The MedPath program will be run by Prep and Villa science teacher Mr. Lucas McCall. Mr McCall described it as “a four-year program comprised of rigorous science, math and health-based courses to prepare students for post-secondary education goals and careers.”

Mr. McCall also mentioned that the idea of the MedPath program began before the 2018 school year; he was then hired as the program’s coordinator in the fall of 2019.

This new program looks to be a great opportunity for students who are interested in science, according to Mr. McCall.

“The program is intended for students who want to pursue a career in a science/health related field,” he said. “The program was created to give students a unique opportunity to explore careers in different fields of science by teaming up with accredited schools and institutions only available to Prep and Villa students. It is a chance for students of Prep and Villa to strengthen and display our core values.”

Even if students are not interested in science, the MedPath program can still help students explore other career opportunities and help pave their way into applying for college.

“The ways that the program can benefit students is non-exhaustive,” Mr. McCall said. “Sudents will have the ability to explore different careers to help them decide for their future, go through a rigorous curriculum to help prepare them for post-secondary schooling, have the ability to earn college credits, begin building a network with classmates, college institutions and regional health care providers, go on exclusive field trips, hear lectures from individuals practicing medicine, and so much more!”

Mr. McCall has put in a great amount of effort into forming the MedPath program, though he couldn’t have accomplished this task by himself.

“Although I am the coordinator of the program, Mr. Pituch and other members of the school are working hard in getting the program up and running,” he said. “You could say Gannon and LECOM work alongside of me since we are working with them closely. It is a multi-faceted program, and there are many contributors making it the best it can be.”

Another question mark involving the MedPath program is that it was unknown if the program could fit into the Prep and Villa school merger coming in 2021-2022. However, according to Mr. McCall, he feels that the program will fit right in with the new school.

“The program correlates perfectly with the merger because it will allow students at Prep and Villa to come together and begin building strong relationships through a challenging curriculum and help encourage each other through the program,” he said. “In addition to the new STEAM hub
that will be built, students will have a learning experience unlike any others! With the MedPath program and Prep and Villa becoming one, we will be able to educate some of the best male and female scientists and medical professionals in the country.”