WHITE PLAINS — Archbishop Stepinac High School has launched an educational initiative with Burke Rehabilitation as part of the school’s Project Based Learning Assessment Program. The initiative combines real-world case studies, research, and hands-on learning to cultivate empathy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in Stepinac’s anatomy and physiology students.

The program includes two visits to Burke Rehabilitation’s 150-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital:
— Wednesday, February 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.: Anatomy and Physiology Honors students
— Wednesday, February 12: Two sessions for anatomy students (8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. to noon)

“This project exemplifies our commitment to integrating academic rigor with experiential learning,” said Veronica Smith, Stepinac’s Susan and Daniel P. Mahoney ’67 Honors Academy health sciences coordinator. “By engaging students in a meaningful, real-world context, we’re not only teaching them about anatomy but also about the humanity behind healthcare.”

“Burke Rehabilitation is proud to collaborate with Stepinac High School to shape the future of education, healthcare, and athletics by providing students with unique hands-on learning experiences here on our campus. As a nationally recognized rehabilitation hospital with the lowest rehabilitation hospital readmission rate in the country, I can’t think of a better setting or staff equipped to inspire our next generation of dedicated, compassionate care providers,” Scott Edelman, MBA, CPA, CFE, Burke’s executive director, said. 

Each student will select a “patient” reflecting a neurological, medically complex, or orthopedic case study that aligns with current curriculum content and typical patients treated at Burke Rehabilitation’s Outpatient Department. Students will deepen their understanding of holistic patient-centered rehabilitative care through these case studies.

The project includes:

Curriculum-based case studies: Students will adopt their “patient’s” perspective, addressing concerns such as pain, activity levels, nutrition, and personal goals through a guided Google Form before research and the field trip.

Treatment plans: Anatomy students will design two treatment sessions with four exercises per session, aligned with their case study patient’s specific goals of strengthening, stretching, balance, and endurance. Honors students will create more complex plans with five exercises per session, including a Burke Rehabilitation Adaptive Sports and Recreation class.

Field trip experience: At Burke Rehabilitation, students will observe holistic patient-centered rehabilitative care firsthand, gaining insights into patient functional mobility, resilience, and care strategies. A resident or fellow physician will meet with small groups to review their projects.

Reflection: After the field trip, project completion, and in-class presentation, students will complete a final Google Form reflecting on how the visit changed their “patient’s” perspective and enhanced their understanding of holistic therapeutic care.

This partnership demonstrates Stepinac’s commitment to providing cutting-edge educational opportunities preparing students for a globally competitive world. Media representatives are invited to observe this collaboration between Stepinac High School and Burke Rehabilitation.