Kaiser Permanente, AVC and AVUHSD Team Up to Provide Immersive Medical Training for Local Students

LANCASTER – Kaiser Permanente Antelope Valley, Antelope Valley College and the Antelope Valley Union High School District have successfully partnered to provide hands-on health care training for Eastside High School Biomedical Science Academy students.

Between June and July 2026, 24 students completed the program – training on advanced medical mannequins in the Antelope Valley College nursing simulation lab over five sessions.

Medical professionals from Kaiser Permanente, along with Antelope Valley College faculty and staff, led scenario-based modules that gave students the opportunity to practice real-world diagnostic and treatment skills in a safe, controlled environment.

Students rotated through multiple training areas including the nursing lab, EMT, radiology technology and respiratory therapy programs. The experience followed a fictional patient journey beginning with a traffic accident and continuing through hospital treatment, rehabilitation and discharge.

“This program continues to grow because it’s making a meaningful impact – both for students and for the future of health care in our community,” said Alison Segal, Kaiser Permanente Antelope Valley’s chief administrative officer. “By bringing students into a real clinical learning environment, we’re helping them build confidence, explore career pathways and understand what it takes to deliver high-quality patient care.”

“Simulation allows students to engage in realistic clinical situations in a safe setting,” said Kerin Coffey, academy coordinator for Eastside High School. “They’re not just learning concepts – they’re applying them, making decisions and seeing the outcomes. That kind of learning is incredibly powerful.”

The program included modules on responding to a medical emergency, intensive care, rehabilitation and discharge planning. Students concluded their experience by completing and presenting health care careers research projects with local professionals serving as panelists and providing feedback.

The 2026 participants were Alexandra Carrillo Martinez, Alison Bernal, Amber Chavez Barragan, Ana Morales, Annie Aviles Sanchez, Ariana Munoz Rios, Ariel Zavala, Ashley Robles, Betsaida Castaneda, Brooklyn Walker, Christine Joy Huliganga, Daisy Campos, Danna Perez, Desiree Guzman, Destin Jimenez, Dina Reyes, Elena Zagal, Estrella Gonzalez, Jonathan Corral, Katrina Hysaw, Natalie Benitez, Nataly Munoz, Nhylia Cummings and Rafael Gamino Flores.