In today’s competitive workforce, employers continue to invest in health and wellness initiatives that boost employee wellbeing, productivity and retention. By prioritizing employee health, organizations are contributing to a healthier, more resilient workforce that benefits both employees and the communities they serve. However, what if lessons on wellness took root earlier – in high school classrooms?
At the Morris County Vocational School District (MCVSD), the high school Academy for Health Care Sciences has been preparing students for both careers in medicine and for lives built around resilience and personal wellbeing. The academy’s alumni are now contributing to hospitals, research centers and public health institutions, showing how early exposure to healthcare education can foster habitats that align perfectly with the wellness priorities shaping today’s workforce.
Dr. Raj Lavadi, alumnus of the Academy for Health Care Sciences, is currently a neurological surgery resident at Indiana University and attributes the beginning of his journey to the classrooms of MCVSD. His academy experiences ignited both his medical curiosity and his commitment to lifelong learning.
“I still apply skills from high school classes,” said Lavadi. “Every single MCVSD faculty and staff member has had an impact on my personal and professional growth. It is their collective impact that makes me want to have a teaching role in academic neurosurgery when I am done with residency.”
Lavadi, who has conducted research at Washington University and University of Pittsburgh, credits his successes to the foundational learning environment at MCVSD. Courses like Medical Terminology and Dynamics of Health Care introduced him to concepts he later saw in medical school. But the real lessons, he said, went deeper than academics.
“People are products of their environment,” Lavadi explained. “I am blessed to have spent my formative high school years being surrounded by teachers who were enthusiastic about their respective subjects and classmates who pushed each other to do well. This environment shaped my character as much as it prepared me for medicine.”
The focus on developing employees beyond their technical skills is key in today’s business world. Across New Jersey, employers are expanding wellness initiatives that prioritize the well being of their employees. “Consistent workplace wellness programs are essential to families,” said Lois Manzella-Marchitto, managing officer for Fitness Knocking. “Wellness has to start where we work and learn – employers and schools can create real change with small, consistent steps.”
Manzella-Marchitto noted that those steps can be simple but powerful, such as offering lunchtime learning sessions, quick fitness breaks, or professional development that includes wellness support. “At Fitness Knocking, we see how consistent wellness program support saves lives and restores hope. “We help employees change their own health outcomes, which helps the next generation model healthy habitats,” said Manzella-Machitto.
While efforts like these address current workforce needs, educators, such as those at MCVSD, are shaping the next generation of health-conscious professionals who will be equipped with a mindset of community wellness. Students in the Academy for Health Care Sciences are prepared for diverse healthcare careers. They gain valuable hands-on experiences through Clinical Practicum placements, and the comprehensive curriculum provides exposure to multiple healthcare pathways and builds the foundational knowledge needed for success in the medical field.
Furthermore, the program creates a supportive environment where students form close-knit relationships while building the mental strength and resilience essential for healthcare professionals. Teamwork, communication and problem solving skills are key for healthcare providers and employees alike.
Lavadi’s journey is one example of how early lessons can help in the workplace and beyond. His career in neurosurgery, combined with his passion for teaching and research, shows how strong educational foundations translate in leadership and wellness advocacy. With deep appreciation for teachers and all who contributed to his success, Lavadi’s message to current students echoes the heart of New Jersey’s growing wellness movement of purpose, empathy and integrity: “ Character is everything. Never lose sight of it. Give 110% in whatever you pursue.”
Although numerous New Jersey employers provide workplace wellness initiatives, Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs like MCVSD’s Academy for Health Care Sciences demonstrate how early investment in health education builds a mindful and compassionate workforce. Graduates often move forward with a foundation for both strong minds and bodies so they can bring their best selves to work to ultimately help others. That is likely the most sustainable program of all.
The Morris County Vocational School District offers high school full-time academies and half-day programs designed to prepare students for college and career readiness. The Academy for Health Care Science offers a unique and rigorous four-year program designed to prepare students for diverse healthcare careers. Additionally, MCVSD offers Share-Time programs in Allied Health and a Healthcare Pathway with options for a certificate in Dental Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician, Medical Assistant and Medical Office Administration (Billing & Coding). Families and prospective students are encouraged to attend an information session to learn more about programs. Visit www.mcvts.org/apply/.
The district also welcomes interest from businesses looking to support workforce development in the healthcare industry by joining the district’s Advisory Council or exploring partnership opportunities. For more information, contact didomenicog@mcvts.org.
This story originally appeared Oct. 27, 2025 on ROI-NJ
