2026 Teacher Impact Tours Highlight Local Healthcare Careers at Rush Memorial Hospital

Rush County teachers recently had the opportunity to step outside the classroom and into the world of local healthcare during the 2026 Teacher Impact Tours at Rush Memorial Hospital.

The 2026 healthcare tour was sponsored by Rush Memorial Hospital, Rush County Economic & Community Development Corporation, and Area Healthcare Education Center. During the tour, local educators visited various departments throughout Rush Memorial to learn more about the wide range of healthcare careers available right here in Rush County.

The goal of the Teacher Impact Tours is simple but important: help the people who are shaping our students’ career decisions better understand the opportunities that exist locally. When teachers have firsthand knowledge of local employers, career pathways, workplace expectations, and needed skills, they are better equipped to help students make informed decisions about their futures.

Teacher Impact Tours began in 2022 with support from a grant through the Rush County Community Foundation. The first year focused on manufacturing, giving teachers a closer look at local manufacturers and the skills needed in those workplaces. In 2023, a healthcare tour was added to the summer schedule, expanding the program to include one of Rush County’s most important employment sectors.

Since the program began, dozens of Rush County teachers have toured local employers and gained hands-on insight into the careers available in our community. These experiences help build a stronger connection between the classroom and the workplace while supporting a long-term talent pipeline for Rush County employers.

Rush County ECDC is grateful to Rush Memorial Hospital for hosting this year’s healthcare tour and giving teachers a meaningful look at the people, departments, and career opportunities that support local healthcare. We also thank Area Healthcare Education Center for partnering with us to sponsor this important initiative.

Programs like Teacher Impact Tours matter because they help students see that meaningful, in-demand careers are not only available somewhere else — they are available right here at home.

As we look ahead to next year, continued community support and sponsorship will be important to keep this initiative moving forward. Investments in programs like Teacher Impact Tours are investments in Rush County students, local employers, and the future workforce of our community.