Bringing the Future: Welcoming Ortho Magnet Freshmen to LuskinOIC

On July 25, LuskinOIC welcomed 116 incoming freshmen, teachers, and upperclassmen mentors from Orthopaedic Magnet High School as part of their Summer Bridge program. The visit kicked off with a warm welcome and presentation from LuskinOIC staff and two of our high school interns, Kaylin Vargas and Jocelin Epigmenio, rising seniors from Orthopaedic Magnet, who shared their experiences and advice with the incoming class.

During their visit, students had the opportunity to explore LuskinOIC through guided tours led by Courtney Rojas, Community Engagement Manager, and Mary Beth Perrine, Foundation AVP. These tours offered students a firsthand look at our state-of-the-art facilities and introduced them to a wide array of health care roles—from orthopaedic specialists and physical therapists to research and community health professionals. For many of these students, it was their first time inside a clinical setting, giving them a tangible, up-close understanding of potential future careers in health care.

These immersive tours do more than spark curiosity—they help demystify the medical field and make health care careers feel both accessible and achieveable. By showing students where their education can lead, LuskinOIC supports Ortho Magnet’s mission to empower the next generation of health care professionals, many of whom come from underserved communities. 

In addition to tours, students engaged in creative and interactive activities, including crafts, lanyard making, and games—mirroring the same joyful experiences our pediatric patients enjoy. The visit concluded with closing remarks and a pizza lunch, wrapping up a meaningful and inspiring day for these future health care leaders.