Allina Health Buffalo Hospital hosts its first-ever Scrub Club

The event that gives teens hands-on health care experience will be held Monday, May 6

BUFFALO, Minn. (April 18, 2024) — Allina Health Buffalo Hospital will host its first Scrub Club on Monday, May 6 from 6-8 p.m. at Buffalo Hospital (303 Catlin Street). Scrub Club is a health career exploration program for high school students that is designed to introduce students to various healthcare careers and offer them the opportunity to experience engaging, hands-on activities and real-life experiences. The first event is open only to Buffalo High School sophomores, juniors and seniors, and if well received, will be offered on a monthly basis beginning this fall. Students can register for the May Scrub Club here.

The May Scrub Club will focus on careers within the surgery department. Students will hear from a surgeon, a surgical registered nurse, and a surgery leader about their career journeys and will be provided with the opportunity to learn how to scrub for surgery, test drive a Mako surgical robot and tour a surgery suite. For students who are not interested in being a nurse or doctor, they will also get the chance to learn about many other job opportunities that exist within the surgery department.

“We’re using technology in such different ways,” said Mona Volden, manager of Community Engagement at Buffalo Hospital. “So, students who have more of an engineering mind will learn there’s a place for them in health care as well.”

The Buffalo Hospital team is delighted to not only extend a warm welcome to the teens at the hospital but also to offer assistance in navigating the path toward career opportunities in health care. If a teen shows interest in a career such as an X-ray technician, Volden and the team hope to provide information about nearby schools that provide the training, the cost and length of training as well as the estimated salary they can expect upon completing training.

“We’re excited to show these kids the options for good employment right here in our community,” said Volden. “We have people such as Jill Bjornson, our surgical services nurse manager, and our inpatient nurse manager Lisa Close creating experiences that will be fun and engaging for students.”

Allina Health hospitals in Faribault, New Ulm and Owatonna have also hosted successful Scrub Clubs.

About Allina Health

Allina Health is a nonprofit health care system serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin, dedicated to preventing and treating illness and improving the health of individuals, families, and communities. Through a network of more than 90 clinics, 12 hospital campuses, 13 retail pharmacies, specialty care centers, home care, and emergency medical transportation, Allina Health provides high-quality care from birth through end-of-life.

At the forefront of Allina Health’s mission are its Institutes, which offer nationally recognized experts and advanced care in key specialties:

Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute – A leader in cardiovascular innovation, research, and care delivery through clinical trials, publications, and training 4,000+ providers annually, it is consistently rated ‘High Performing’ by U.S. News & World Report.
Allina Health Cancer Institute – Providing comprehensive, personalized and innovative oncology care across the full cancer journey, delivered at ten locations – including its three largest hospitals which U.S. News & World Report consistently rates “High Performing” in multiple oncology specialties.
Allina Health Neuroscience, Spine and Pain Institute – Offering advanced neurological and spine care, including two nationally accredited stroke centers, innovative focused ultrasound treatment for essential tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson's and a chronic pain rehabilitation program – one of only two in Minnesota.

Together, these Institutes exemplify Allina Health’s commitment to clinical excellence, innovation, and compassionate care. Learn more at allinahealth.org and join us on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.