At Beaufort Memorial, high school seniors complete first steps on ‘PATH’ to healthcare careers

Beaufort Memorial was the first step toward a career in healthcare for 13 Beaufort County high school seniors, as the first-ever high school cohort graduated from the hospital’s PATH program on May 13th.

At the beginning of 2025, Beaufort Memorial and the Beaufort County School District (BCSD) partnered to offer an opportunity for high school seniors countywide who are enrolled in a Health Sciences completer program to participate in the hospital’s PATH program (People Achieving Their Highest) tuition-free.

Thirteen Beaufort County students graduated on May 13, surrounded by their families, high school principals, health sciences teachers and officials from Beaufort Memorial and BCSD.

Graduating seniors at the May 13th ceremony included:

Patient Care Technicians (PCT)

Clinical Medical Assistants (CMA)
Kayla Arias
Jasmyn Charles
Adeline Gibbons

“I hope, whether you are here for the summer and going on to school or whether you’re ready to start your career in healthcare, you trust Beaufort Memorial and serve your community,” said Beaufort Memorial President and CEO Russell Baxley. “I can’t think of anything more special. This community is special, this hospital is special, and this school district is special.”

Dr. Frank Rodriguez, Beaufort County School District Superintendent, emphasized the impact of the partnership between the two organizations.

“When organizations come together to innovate, you can create some really great opportunities, and I think for our students, this is an innovation that will yield tremendous results – not only for the community, the hospital and the school district, but most importantly, for you, the graduates,” he said.
Students with perfect attendance were recognized at the ceremony, as well as five students who have accepted positions at Beaufort Memorial and will be joining the staff following their high school graduations. For these five students, Beaufort Memorial will be an integral part of their career journey right out of high school.

Other students, like Bluffton High School senior Aysha Perez, are planning to attend college and pursue that pathway to a career in the medical field. Perez said she hopes to one day become a doctor.

“It feels really good,” the Bluffton senior said. “This means a lot to me; it gives me an opportunity to go to college, be able to find a job and work in the medical field.”

Beaufort Memorial Chief Nursing Officer Karen Carroll, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, said that no matter the students’ next chapter, Beaufort Memorial is honored to be a part of their journey.

“The only person who can stop you from achieving your goals is you. You can be a great asset to this organization and to wherever you go to school,” Carroll told the graduates. “We are happy to help you on your journey and give you that starting point.”