In this episode of MedEd Thread, Lenore Gregg, Certified Surgical Technologist, and Cora Barnes, Certified Sterile Processing Educator, share how the Howley ASPIRE Pathways Program is preparing high school students for careers in surgical technology, sterile processing, and respiratory therapy. Through hands-on training, mentorship, and paid workforce opportunities, students gain real-world experience and a clear path into healthcare. Tune in to learn how this innovative program is building a pipeline of skilled professionals and transforming lives across Northeast Ohio.

In this episode of MedEd Thread, we talk with Dr. Pamela Combs, Director of the Howley ASPIRE Program, and EJ Clark, Caregiver Support Specialist, who share how a visionary partnership between the Howley Foundation and Cleveland Clinic is transforming career pathways for high school students. Designed for juniors interested in nursing, respiratory therapy, surgical technology, and sterile processing, the Howley ASPIRE Program offers immersive, hands-on experiences, mentorship, and academic support to help students transition into higher education and the healthcare workforce. Dr. Combs and EJ discuss the program’s structure, its holistic coaching model, and the wraparound services that foster student success. Tune in to learn how this innovative initiative is building a diverse pipeline of future caregivers and inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals.

In this episode of MedEd Thread, Dr. Nicole Brown, Senior Education Simulation Specialist at Cleveland Clinic, explores the psychological phenomenon of inattention blindness—the tendency to overlook visible and important details when our attention is diverted. Drawing from her nursing background and recent research, Dr. Brown discusses how this phenomenon impacts clinical judgment, patient assessments and the delivery of high-quality care. Through relatable examples and insights from simulation-based education, the conversation highlights the challenges healthcare professionals face in noticing subtle changes in patients amidst the noise of busy clinical environments. Tune in to learn how understanding inattention blindness could reshape medical education and improve patient outcomes.