Message from Pre-Health SPC Director

Welcome to the Marist Summer Pre-Health Pre-College program. I am very excited that you are interested in learning more about healthcare and the various ways professionals provide care to their patients. Careers in healthcare are important not only for individuals, but for the health and well-being of society as a whole. In this program, we will provide some tools and ideas for you to take with you as you travel down the road towards being a healthcare provider. Additionally, you will have the chance to learn about the history of healthcare and illness while also having the chance to consider and discuss equity in healthcare. You also will learn and practice a number of skills that healthcare professionals use in on a daily basis during patient care. I look forward to journeying with you on this path toward a healthcare career. 

Session I Instructor – Dr. Michael Powers

Dr. Michael Powers has been teaching in healthcare for over 30 years and has been teaching at Marist for the past 14 years. In addition to Directing the Athletic Training program and teaching sports medicine courses, Dr. Powers has been an instructor for other healthcare professional programs such as Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy. He has a Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Science (MS) in Athletic Training from Northeastern University and the University of Florida respectively, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Sports Medicine from the University of Virginia. He is a certified athletic trainer (ATC) through the Board of Certification, Inc. and a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association. He is also a New York State certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. In addition to his academic duties, Dr. Powers continues to volunteer his services as an athletic trainer and EMT for events such as the Boston Marathon, New York City Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon, and Special Olympics. 

Session II Instructor – Jessica Welsh

Jesica Welsh is an ASHA-certified and New York State-licensed speech-language pathologist with clinical experience working in a variety of settings and on different interdisciplinary health care teams. Prior to becoming Marist’s Pre-Health Program Coordinator, she was a faculty member in the Communication Disorders department at SUNY New Paltz, where she worked with undergraduate and graduate students as they navigated health-related career pathways. She also served as the education and outreach coordinator at the Adler Aphasia Center, a non-profit organization for people with aphasia secondary to stroke, brain injury, or progressive neurological disease, where she developed educational offerings for healthcare providers and students in the community, coordinated professional continuing education workshops, and presented work at national and international conferences.