Students from the De Leon High School Health Science program—participating through the Comanche County Rural Collaborative (CCRC) and the Rural Pathway Excellence Partnerships (R-PEP) program—recently took a step outside the classroom and onto the front lines of rural medicine. The cohort embarked on an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of Comanche County Medical Center (CCMC) and its long-term care facility, Legacy Estate, offering high schoolers an immersive look at the modern healthcare ecosystem operating right in their home county.

Experiencing Healthcare Operations Firsthand

During the interactive tour, students explored the interconnected departments that keep Comanche County Medical Center running 24 hours a day. From primary care clinics and emergency medicine to radiology, laboratory services, and physical therapy, students observed clinical teams utilizing state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment tools.

Following the hospital tour, the group visited Legacy Estate, CCMC’s dedicated long-term care facility. Here, students gained valuable insights into geriatric care, long-term nursing assistance, physical rehabilitation, and resident activity management. Seeing both acute hospital care and extended residential care illuminated the diverse pathways available within a single regional health system.

Bridging the Gap: CCRC and R-PEP in Action

The Comanche County Rural Collaborative (CCRC) and the Region 14 R-PEP framework were created under a shared vision: ensuring a student’s geographic location does not limit their career and educational opportunities. By aligning local high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways with real-world industry needs, De Leon students earn dual-credit hours, work toward industry certifications (such as Certified Nursing Assistant & Certified Medical Assistant), and gain valuable work-based learning opportunities. “These site visits serve as a crucial bridge, taking concepts learned in textbook modules or clinical simulation labs and showing how they apply directly to patient care” says instructor Jeffrey Roemisch.

Pathways into the System: Volunteers, Internships, and Careers

A key message delivered by administrators and staff during the visit was that the door to Comanche County Health System is wide open for young, local talent.

• Volunteer Opportunities: For younger students or those just starting their Health Science coursework, volunteer positions at CCMC and Legacy Estate provide entry-level exposure. Volunteers gain experience in patient hospitality, administrative support, and community outreach while building a strong foundation for their resumes.

• Internships & Work-Based Learning: Through CCRC and R-PEP industry partnerships, qualified high school upperclassmen can participate in structured clinical rotations, shadows, and internships. These experiences allow students to work alongside seasoned nurses, therapists, and technologists, turning classroom practice into practical workplace hours.

• Employment & Local Career Growth: As rural healthcare systems across Texas face growing staffing demands, Comanche County Health System actively seeks to recruit home-grown healthcare workers. Graduates holding CNAs or completing post-secondary certifications can transition into immediate employment roles, ranging from patient care technicians and dietary aides to positions in medical billing, radiology support, and nursing.

By opening its doors to De Leon’s CCRC R-PEP Health Science students, Comanche County Health System-CCMC  is not just supporting local education—it is training and inspiring the next generation of rural healthcare leaders right at home.

Students in order from Left to Right in student group cover photo: