Healthcare Pathway

K-16 Collaborative Health Career Pathways Learning Summit

Thank you for attending the Summit! We had a total of 140 attendees, all of whom enjoyed a successful day of learning and engagement.

 

View the slide presentations (speakers are currently adding their presentations, so check back if you can’t find what you’re looking for).

Please complete the Summit Evaluation.

 

Webpage to access the guide: https://careered.org/health/

or click on the image to access a PDF of the guide.

Summit Goal: Strengthen the K-16 healthcare talent pipeline in the San Diego and Imperial region by building and expanding partnerships across K-12, adult education, community colleges, universities to create seamless career pathways, increase awareness of healthcare programs and occupations, improve student outcomes, and address regional workforce shortages.

Summit Details:

  • AUDIENCE: High School, Adult Education, Community College, and University Educators & Administrators in Healthcare pathways/programs
    • including Teachers, College/University Faculty, Department Chairs, Instructional Coordinators, Counselors, TOSAs, Administrators, Deans, Assistant Deans, and Program Leads
  • WHEN: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
    Breakfast & Check-in at 8:30am
    Event at 9:15 am – 3:00pm

  • WHERE: Sharp Prebys Innovation and Education Center
    8695 Spectrum Center Blvd, San Diego, CA 92123

  • WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE SUMMIT:
    • Share ideas around equitable access to training, skills-based curricula, and workforce-aligned academic pathways
    • Strengthen regional partnerships among K-12, adult education, colleges, universities, and healthcare employers
    • Launch of the K-16 regional guide! Your Future in Healthcare: From Student to Career in San Diego & Imperial Counties
  • PROGRAMS OF FOCUS:
    • Allied Health/Patient Care
    • Behavioral & Mental Health
    • Health Data & Systems
    • Medical Biotechnology
    • Public Health
  • FREE REGISTRATION & PARKING 
    Continental breakfast and lunch provided




KEYNOTE SPEAKER 

Aaron J. Byzak, MBA
Chief Strategist & Lead Consultant for Galvanized Strategies
Healthcare and Non-Profit Leader

Aaron Byzak is Chief Strategist & Lead Consultant for Galvanized Strategies, a strategic public affairs and fractional leadership firm supporting an array of healthcare and nonprofit clients. He recently served for 9 months as Interim CEO of Grossmont Healthcare District, helping the District achieve more than a dozen goals, and currently provides public affairs and strategy consulting for notable local organizations.

With over 30 years of experience in healthcare management, EMS, health policy, and nonprofit leadership, Aaron is a recognized changemaker in the region. He has also led award-winning public health and advocacy campaigns, created workforce development initiatives, shaped regional crisis responses, and advised organizations at every level.

A four-time Emmy Award-winning writer and producer and a dynamic public speaker, Aaron is also a sought-after mentor to emerging healthcare leaders throughout San Diego. He holds an MBA in Healthcare Management and Policy from UC Irvine, a BA in Social Science from Chapman University, and executive leadership certificates from UCLA and Cornell University.



SUMMIT AGENDA – View the DETAILED AGENDA

8:30-9:15 am             Check-in & Continental Breakfast
9:15-10:20 am          Welcome, Keynote Speaker, Labor Market Information, K-16 Regional Guide
10:20-10:30 am       Transition
10:30-11:45 am       Session 1: Working Groups
11:45am-1:00 pm  Lunch & Learn
1:00-1:10 pm            Transition
1:10-1:55 pm            Session 2: Breakouts
1:55-2:05 pm            Transition
2:05-3:00 pm            Session 3: Breakouts & Closing

Questions about the event? Email heather@k16talentpipeline.org


More about the regional K-16 guide: Your Future in Healthcare: From Student to Career in San Diego & Imperial Counties

  • Shareable resource guide for students, parents, teachers, and counselors (primary audience is high school & community college)
  • Covers a vast range of occupations in the healthcare sector including job descriptions, skill/educational requirements (licensure/certifications), salary/hourly wages, and labor market information specific to the San Diego and Imperial region
  • Occupation clusters include: Allied Health/Patient Care, Behavioral / Mental Health, Health Data and Systems, Medical Biotechnology, Public Health, and Support Services (about 150 occupations plus 50 specialties)
  • This resource guide will be launched at the Summit!
Group of nursing students

Presenters & Panelists

Dr. Michael A. Campbell

Founder and CEO

SignalVerified

Elaine Chance, MPA

Innovation Systems Analyst

San Diego Community College District

Bridgette Coleman headshot

Bridgette Coleman

Program Manager, Talent Initiatives

San Diego Regional EDC

Ashanti Hands, EdD

President

San Diego Mesa College

Jacqueline S. Hester, PhD

Dean of Public Safety & AI Fellow

San Diego Miramar College

Hanna Jensen

Chief Impact Officer

Junior Achievement of San Diego County

Jonathan Kropp

Workforce Director

Southwestern College

Guillaume Maro, CSCP

Business Operations Manager

Genentech, Inc.

Teddy Martinez

Vice President, Strategic & Policy Initiatives

San Diego Workforce Partnership

Monica Romero

Dean, School of Business & Technology

San Diego Mesa College

Casey Rothenberger, CPP

Executive Director, Academic & Professional Programs

San Diego State University Global Campus

Sandeep Shah

Senior Director, Product & Technology Integrations

LEMNIS

Breakout Session Moderators

Raquel Aparicio, MSML

Director of Student Outreach and Engagement, Enrollment Management

UC San Diego

Michael Gomez

K12 Pathway Coordinator, Palomar CCD Region

San Diego County Office of Education

Michael Green, Jr.

Internship Coordinator

MiraCosta College

Kimberly Macias

K12 Pathway Coordinator, Imperial Valley CCD Region

Imperial County Office of Education

Esther Martinez-Barraza

K12 Pathway Coordinator, San Diego CCD Region

San Diego Unified School District

Susan J. Pace, CCSP, CHCDC

Director Workforce & Industry Initiatives, Career Services

San Diego State University

Nicole Thren

K12 Pathway Coordinator, Grossmont-Cuyamaca CCD Region

Grossmont Union High School District

Leslie Wisdom

K14 Technical Assistance Provider

San Diego and Imperial Community Colleges Regional Consortium

Dr. Amber N. Yoo

Chair, AI Hub & Curriculum Task Forces

CSUSM College of Business Administration