Expanding career pathways through paid HealthX Fellowship for Bay Area high schoolers, with support from philanthropic and community partners

Note: This article originally appeared on making-waves.org and was republished on ridgelinepathways.org in June 2026. References to "Making Waves Education Foundation" were adjusted to "Ridgeline" and other small edits were made since the HealthX Fellowship is now a part of Ridgeline. Watch the 2026 HealthX Fellowship recap video here.

New six-month work-based learning program connects Contra Costa County teens with the skills, certifications, and mentors needed for in-demand healthcare jobs

Ridgeline launched the HealthX Fellowship: Paid Career Pathway, a new six-month program designed to help Contra Costa County high school juniors and seniors explore in-demand healthcare jobs while earning a stipend, credentials, skills, and a support system.

The fellowship begins in December 2025 and runs through April 2026. It includes weekly sessions after school on Wednesdays and monthly full-day experiences on Saturdays. Students will meet and learn from professionals with the Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences while gaining hands-on experience and their Basic Life Support certification. They will also practice communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and presentation skills. And, to help remove barriers for student participation, Ridgeline is offering support for transportation and a stipend of up to $1,000.

Healthcare jobs as pathways to economic mobility for students

Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing industries in the Bay Area - and a leading sector for advancing economic opportunity," shared Aiyana Mourtos (she/her), former chief program officer at Making Waves Education Foundation.

“Everyone’s heard of doctors and nurses, but most students don’t know about many other high-demand, high-wage jobs behind the scenes – from radiologic technologists to sonographers to nuclear medicine specialists,” she shared.

The challenge is there is often a disconnect between the employers looking to hiring and the students looking for the skills, work experience, networks, and confidence to pursue these roles.

“HealthX is about changing that,” Mourtos shared. “This program gives students exposure, skills, and options; so, they can start building a future pathway to long-term economic mobility.”

Prioritizing commitment to learning over GPA or prior work experience

As part of efforts to expand access to jobs in healthcare, there are no GPA or healthcare experience requirements for students interested in applying for the HealthX Fellowship.  

“HealthX is designed with equity at the center,” shared Daisy Han (she/her), former VP of career launch at Making Waves Education Foundation.  

Too often, careers in healthcare feel out of reach for young people, especially those from low-income backgrounds, who may not be able to afford to take unpaid internships, don't have connections, or prior work experience. That's why we designed this fellowship intentionally focused on access and opportunity," Han shared.

“We’re looking for curiosity, consistency, and commitment, and the application includes questions around student goals and problem-solving skills,” Han shared. “Every student deserves the chance to explore meaningful careers, gain real skills, and imagine bold new possibilities for their future.”

A pilot as a part of vision to expand career pathways

HealthX is a part of Ridgeline's growing portfolio of career-connected and work-based learning opportunities.

“The world has changed: a college degree still matters, but too many graduates are underemployed, and the systems that prepare students for life after high school are fragmented. Young people need clearer, faster, and more affordable routes into good jobs,” shared Patrick O’Donnell (he/him), former CEO at Making Waves Education Foundation.

Backed by philanthropic and community partners, the HealthX Fellowship is a pilot as a part of a vision that aims to blur the lines between high school, college, and career to open more doors to economic mobility.

Programs like HealthX are important early steps to support more young people in Contra Costa County to land jobs that provide a living wage, growth potential, and upward mobility," O'Donnell shared.

Building on a successful Making Waves and Kaiser partnership

The HealthX program is expanding on a successful partnership with Kaiser from this past spring. The first pilot, known as Hands-On Health, led to 100% of students gaining increased information about career pathways, increased social capital connections, stronger durable skills, and renewed motivation for their future.

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“We’re testing how early exploration, hands-on learning, and credentialing can shift what young people believe is possible for their future,” shared Mourtos.

“We’re also learning what it takes to build stackable, flexible pathways – from high school to high-wage careers – in partnership with employers, colleges, and schools. What we learn here will shape the future of career-connected learning in Contra Costa County. It’s a critical step in a commitment to building scalable, equitable pathways to economic mobility,” she shared.

HealthX made possible by philanthropic and community support

HealthX Fellowship is offered as a paid program for students thanks to the generous support of philanthropic funders and donors and community partners, including the IGNITE Fund of the Roberts Foundation, the Payette River Foundation, and Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences.