Julia Danko knew she was interested in a health care career. Her junior high school science teacher at St. Albert the Great School in North Royalton recognized her aptitude and suggested that she consider the medical field. ?I wanted to help people. It?s big for me to think that I can help restore someone to health,? she said.
Although she expected to attend public high school, Julia acquiesced when her sister, a Padua Franciscan High School alumna, suggested that she spend a day shadowing there. ?I did and it was everything I wanted,? she said, after learning about the school?s innovative MedTrack program that began in 2008.
Laurie Keco Grabowski, a 1989 Padua graduate, is director of the award-winning MedTrack program. She said MedTrack has three pillars: rigorous academic preparation, methodical career exploration and Franciscan values. It is unique among Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Cleveland, she said, noting the program has also attracted an international student from China.
Now a junior, Julia is on track for a health care career. Although she was interested in emergency medicine, she decided to explore transplant medicine during her externship last summer. She observed at University Hospital?s Transplant Institution, an experience she described as amazing.
?I didn?t realize that these professionals were following the Franciscan charisms,? Julia said. ?They treated the patient as a person, not a disease. I met so many wonderful people
