WOOLWICH TWP. — The Kingsway Regional School District and Rothman Institute, one of the largest orthopedic practices in the country, have formalized a partnership that will provide
opportunities to the students of Kingsway Regional High School’s Sports Medicine
Program beginning next school year.
Kingsway’s newly developed Sports Medicine Seminar and Practicum course provides qualifying seniors with opportunities to observe the translation of theory into practice through direct interactions with Rothman’s medical professionals on-site. This mutually beneficial agreement is a collaborative endeavor that joins students, professionals, businesses, and educators together to ascertain innovative approaches to the educational experience.
The Sports Medicine Seminar and Practicum was developed under the collaborative leadership
of Patricia Calandro, Chief Academic Officer for the Kingsway Regional School District; Robin
Jaramillo, Sports Medicine Teacher at Kingsway Regional High School; Meghan Mattson,
Manager of Athletic Training Services for Rothman Institute; and Tim Jones, Rothman Institute
Marketing Manager. The course is being offered for the first time this fall, with an initial cohort
of 12 students.
“This practicum allows our students the opportunity to apply multiple years of concentrated
learning into a meaningful on-the-job experience,” said Calandro. “It is a partnership that
promotes relevance in education and helps our students gain the skills necessary to be
successful in college and the workforce through the support of a premier organization.”
Students who qualify for the practicum have been engaged in two years of study related to the
field of sports medicine under the direction of Jaramillo, Kingsway Regional High School’s
Teacher of the Year. “I want to personally thank Rothman Institute for their ability to see how
vital these experiences are for our students and for their dedication to seeing this partnership
through,” said Jaramillo.
Prior to starting the practicum, students must complete a semester course on Kingsway’s
campus, which will prepare them for their experience with Rothman. During the practicum,
students will observe, learn and explore several areas within Rothman Institute office setting to
gain knowledge and exposure to medical professions associated with the care and treatment of
orthopedic injuries.
These experiences will be monitored under the direction of an assigned Rothman Institute mentor who is paired specific to the interest and needs of the student. Students will continue to meet weekly as a cohort on Kingsway Regional High School’s campus to discuss their experiences as they prepare a culminating presentation and research paper.
“By working closely under the direction of a mentor at Rothman, students will not only learn
more about the field but also have the opportunity to acquire general workplace skills related to
their career interests,” said Dr. James J. Lavender, Superintendent. “This partnership with
Rothman provides our students with structured learning experiences related to skills needed for
success in the workplace while exploring their passion.”
“This is a great opportunity to give back and help pave the way for the next generation of sports
medicine specialists,” said Michael G. Ciccotti, Chief of Sports Medicine at Rothman Institute.
“Our organization remains dedicated to the communities we serve in more ways than just
treating patients. We are looking forward to this partnership and anticipate a bright future for
the program and its participants.”
