PATCH IN THE MEDIA

Recent news

PATCH Recognized by Charlotte Business Journal

Laura Williams-Tracy, Charlotte Business Journal

PATCH, which stands for Propelling Adolescents Towards Careers in Health, was honored with Charlotte Business Journal's 2015 Excellence in Healthcare for Community Partner/Advocate award. The program consists of nine Saturday sessions, full of shadowing experiences, professionalism seminars, and community-based research projects. In the next year, PATCH is expanding to include a three-year mentoring program to provide students with guidance as they apply to college and ready themselves for a career in healthcare. Melissa Rolfsen and Kahra Manji-Nix, two of the three co-founders of PATCH, were on-hand to receive the award, while Roedersheimer, on rotation in California, participated through Facetime.

Three UNC students launch PATCH

UNC School of Medicine Vital Signs

After completing their Teach for America commitments Melissa Rolfsen, Kyle Roedersheimer and Kahra Manji-Nix attended medical school at UNC, where they found a way to combine their Teach for America ideals and their medical training. The friends launched PATCH, which stands for Propelling Adolescents Towards Careers in Health, in January. The program consists of eight consecutive Saturday classes exposing high school students from Title I Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) to the health care profession.

Three med students launch PATCH

Katya Lezin, September 2, 2015

Melissa Rolfsen and Kyle Roedersheimer met when both were teaching science at Garinger High School in Charlotte with Teach For America. Both Rolfsen, 27, and Roedersheimer, 28, knew their time as teachers was limited because they both had plans to go to medical school. “We had weekly conversations about how to best impact the Garinger community,” Rolfsen said, and “how to leave a legacy behind.”

Kahra Manji-Nix, 28, another Teach For America instructor at West Charlotte High School who also planned to attend medical school, joined their discussions. Manji-Nix shared their passion for ensuring that all children have access to quality education.

My Journey Into a Medical Career

Wendy Vang, 2015 PATCH Scholar

Growing up, I had dreams of becoming a doctor, a singer, an actress, a fashion designer, an astronaut or even a hairstylist. They all seemed so exciting and offered such diverse thrills! Of course, I knew I’d eventually have to choose just one.

After watching my father struggle with a serious illness – and feeling helpless and sad during his stay in the hospital, I realized that what I really wanted was to do something in healthcare. With really good care, he did recover. I decided I wanted to be in a position to help my father and others...

Propelling Adolescents Towards Careers in Healthcare