OCEANSIDE, Calif. (May, 13, 2021) – Tri-City Medical Center’s investment in programs that enhance the wellbeing of the community continues as it partners with the North San Diego NAACP on its Youth Leadership Council education and training program to help North County youth realize their potential while pursuing inspiring dreams. In addition to financial support, Tri-City Medical Center leaders are contributing their knowledge and insights to help ambitious youth set goals, understand the path to success, and create opportunities to begin advancing their futures today.
Each session of the Youth Leadership Council program connects 20 students with regional business and community leaders to identify career opportunities while receiving mentorship to focus their efforts as they work towards their personal ambitions. These leaders share insights and lessons they’ve learned throughout their careers so that students have a better understanding of their journeys ahead and are prepared for the challenges they’ll face.
As part of Tri-City Medical Center’s support of the North San Diego NAACP Youth Leadership Council, hospital leaders provide in-kind support including facilitating the Strategic Career Planning: A 10-Step Guide to Realizing Your Potential career planning program that helps North County students between the ages of 14 and 19 understand what it takes to achieve life goals and how they can take advantage of available resources to set themselves up for success.
The program, designed and facilitated by Aaron Byzak, chief external affairs officer for Tri-City Medical Center, is designed to help students that want to excel and take control of their future by complimenting their academic studies with professional, educational and personal goals, as well as developing a mentoring plan for individual and professional development. Each step in the program is focused on a specific skillset, from setting their vision, mission and values to creating opportunities that align with their passions.
Byzak, a healthcare executive who has led numerous policy reform efforts, also facilitates an advocacy training class for the Youth Leadership Council members to prepare them for leading change in their communities.
“I begin each session by asking students, ‘Do you want to be a victim or a victor?’,” says Debbie Matthews, Youth Council Advisor and member of the Executive Board of the North San Diego County NAACP. “A lot of students have never been in a setting to analyze themselves in this way. What we want to do is show them that there is so much more to achieving their dreams than just getting good grades in school. We are so appreciative of our partnership with Tri-City Medical Center in helping our Youth Leadership Council members create a vision and plan for achieving their goals and positively impacting their community.”
Tri-City Medical Center’s support of the program is part of their Community Outreach and Support Through Active Leadership (COASTAL) Commitment initiative, which is a wide-ranging outreach initiative with nearly 60 partner organizations that formalizes the medical center and its staff’s support and leadership in community improvement programs.
“This program is about growing future community leaders who are going to shape our region over the coming decades,” said Steve Dietlin, CEO of Tri-City Medical Center. “At Tri-City Medical Center, we’re committed to actively engaging with youth from our community because we know that helping them achieve their dreams will advance the health and wellbeing of our community as a whole. By building relationships and guiding students on what it takes to be successful, we’re paying forward all we’ve learned throughout our 60 years of serving this community. We’re proud to be partnering with the North San Diego NAACP and hope to inspire other organizations to do the same.”
Tri-City also provides financial support for the Youth Leadership Council’s operations and donated custom-made shirts and jackets which they will receive on May 15th prior to an online graduation ceremony.
The San Diego NAACP Youth Leadership Council was founded in April 2012 along with the San Diego State University NAACP College Chapter. The Youth Leadership Council is comprised of youth and young adults between the ages of 14-24 that want to make a positive impact in their community.
To learn more about Tri-City Medical Center’s outreach and community engagement efforts, please visit www.tricitymed.org/community.
About Tri-City Medical Center
Tri-City Medical Center has served our community for nearly 60 years and is one of the largest employers in North San Diego County. As a full-service acute care hospital with three primary care clinics and over 500 physicians practicing in over 60 specialties, Tri-City is vital to the well-being of our community and serves as a healthcare safety net for many of our citizens. The hospital has received a Gold Seal of Approval® from the Joint Commission showcasing a commitment to safe and effective patient care for the residents of the community.
Tri-City Medical Center prides itself on being the home to leading orthopedic, spine and cardiovascular health services while also specializing in world-class women’s health, robotic surgery, cancer and emergency care. Tri-City’s Emergency Department is there for your loved ones in their time of need and is highly regarded for our heart attack and stroke treatment programs. When minutes matter Tri-City is your source for quality compassionate care close to home. The hospital operates the largest Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in North County. Tri-City partners with nearly 60 local non-profit and community organizations as part of our COASTAL Commitment initiative. Together we are helping tackle some of our communities’ pressing health and social needs.
For more information about Tri-City Medical Center and Tri-City Healthcare District, please visit tricitymed.org.
