Utah Medical Innovations Pathways (MIP) Graduates Celebrated at State Capitol Ceremony

High school seniors from five Utah school districts were awarded the
Medical Innovations Certificate during a graduation ceremony at the Utah
State Capitol

SALT LAKE CITY–(BUSINESS WIRE)–BioUtah applauds the 2019 graduating class of the Medical Innovations
Pathways (MIP) program. On April 30, 52 high school seniors from
Canyons, Davis, Granite, Jordan and Tooele school districts were awarded
the Medical Innovations Certificate during a graduation ceremony at the
Utah State Capitol.

The Certificate guarantees students a job interview with leading life
sciences companies in the state, who are participating in the MIP
program. These companies, many of whom attended the ceremony, include
BD, BioFire, Biomerics, Edwards Lifesciences, Fresenius, GE Healthcare,
Merit Medical, Nelson Laboratories, Sorenson Forensics, Stryker, TEVA
Pharmaceuticals and Varex Imaging. Utah’s life sciences industry is
among the fastest growing in the nation. A skilled workforce is needed
to keep pace with demand.

Jeffery R. Nelson, President of Nelson Laboratories, a Sotera Health
company, and a member of the MIP Executive Committee, addressed
students, parents, educators, government officials and guests as the
ceremony’s keynote speaker. “I was honored to speak at the graduation of
the MIP Class of 2019,” said Nelson.

In his remarks to the graduates, Nelson said, “We’re fortunate to live
in a state that offers students a chance to explore careers in the life
sciences and see firsthand the important work we do. You represent the
next generation workforce. You are the future that will continue to
innovate and develop new breakthrough technologies to change medicine
and improve the quality of life.”

Keyana Besendorfer, a graduate of the MIP Class of 2018, and Production
Associate at Stryker, also addressed the graduates. “Your Medical
Innovations Certificate opens doors to exciting careers with major life
sciences companies,” she told the gathering. “After graduating from high
school, I found a home at Stryker where I help manufacture a device used
to treat stroke patients. We have a chance to bring forward new ideas
and develop the life-changing innovations of tomorrow. That’s exciting.”

Kimberlee Carlile, Director of the Talent Ready Utah Center, presided
over the graduation and congratulated students on their achievement.
Others speaking as part of the program included Superintendent Scott
Rogers of Tooele School District, and Karen Peterson, Education Policy
Specialist with the office of Governor Gary R. Herbert.

The MIP program, launched as a pilot program with the Governor’s Office
of Economic Development in 2016, is part of BioUtah’s larger workforce
agenda.

“Through MIP, high school students get early exposure to Utah’s medical
technology companies, which can help us retain talent and strengthen our
workforce,” said Kerri Harris, Senior Human Resources Manager at BD.

“We want to invest in these students and help them find rewarding
careers in our industry,” said Jake Reyes, Senior Corporate Recruiter
for Merit Medical.

Students who enroll in the MIP program choose a medical device or
laboratory concentration, and are required to complete certain classroom
studies. In addition, students must do on-site job shadows with
experienced industry professionals.

Over 1,000 Utah life sciences companies, from the medical device,
diagnostic, biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors, provide more than
130,000 jobs in the state.

“MIP is a great private-public partnership,” said Kelvyn Cullimore,
President and CEO of BioUtah, who was on hand to celebrate the
graduates. “You have government, education and industry coming together
to prepare students for the 21st century economy, while helping to build
a talent pool for this fast-growing industry.”

About BioUtah – www.bioutah.org

BioUtah is an independent 501(c)(6) trade association serving Utah’s
life sciences industry. Its members are diverse, with strengths in
medical device manufacturing and services, biotechnology,
pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and healthcare IT, and are a key driver of
Utah’s economy. We create an ecosystem that fosters collaboration,
promotes innovation, and advances healthcare. BioUtah is committed to
growing Utah into a global leader in the life sciences.

Contacts

Denise Bell
[email protected]
202-680-3030