Belton Regional Medical Center inspires new generation of healthcare professionals

Belton, MO.  — Belton Regional Medical Center—part of HCA Midwest Health, Kansas City’s leading healthcare and emergency services provider is proud to be a longtime collaborator with The Academies of Belton through Belton High School by hosting student internships. 

Student Piper Keltner is in the Human Services Academy of The Academies of Belton. She is interning at the Belton Regional Medical Center as part of her studies, rotating to different departments while learning various medical specialties and procedures. She is also at patient bedsides, delivering water and blankets and performing other patient-centric tasks. Piper plans to focus on pre-med college classes, attend medical school, and become a physician. 

“The valuable partnership with Belton High School and The Academies at Belton is a win-win for all of us,” said Belton Regional Medical Center CEO Todd Krass.  “The initiative underscores a joint commitment to nurturing young talent from the communities our hospital serves, introducing them to the healthcare sector and its evolving needs. We can teach students like Piper the many opportunities to pursue a healthcare career.

The Academies at Belton collaboration is also highly rewarding for the Belton Regional Medical Center family while allowing the students to see firsthand the high-quality, compassionate, and innovative care we give patients.”

“Todd and I have known each other for over a decade,” said Academies Project Coordinator Chase Nugen of Belton High School. “When he heard about Academies in 2019 and that I had gotten the position, he reached out immediately and wanted Belton Regional Medical Center all-in. The collaboration has been nothing short of amazing.”

Nugen notes that Belton Regional Medical Center has done everything from hosting student roundtables to career fairs to consulting with students about projects. 

“We’ve had internships at Belton Regional Medical Center, Menorah Medical Center, and Research Medical Center,” Nugen said. “About 95% of the internships have been at Belton, where we average around 15 interns per school year.” 

Belton Regional Medical Center is part of HCA Midwest Health, Kansas City’s leading healthcare provider.