The Raider Report

By Margo Yablonski

COAL TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Biomedical Science Program, or “Biomed” for short, has provided students with numerous opportunities to explore careers in the medical field.

The program began at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School during the 2017-18 school year and has become a staple for students pursuing careers in health care and medicine.

Biomedical courses give students hands-on medical experience while providing a dedicated science track. The curriculum is based on Project Lead the Way (PLTW), a nonprofit organization that provides career-focused science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. According to PLTW, its programs are designed to build technical knowledge, transferable skills and career readiness for students in grades pre-K through 12.

Students at Our Lady of Lourdes have had numerous opportunities to develop new skills through the program. According to Emma Gownley, assistant high school principal, the Biomed program teaches students laboratory skills and incorporates elements of anatomy, microbiology and general biology.

Students also develop skills that require them to work independently. They have opportunities to strengthen their knowledge through hands-on activities, including the dissection of animal hearts, eyes and brains.

Braydon Madden works diligently last school year with the assistance of cardiologists from Geisinger.

Dr. Henry Fesniak, a high school science and math teacher and member of the Class of 1976, helped establish the Biomed program. Several supporters also donated money to help make the program possible. The donations funded two new laboratories located in the high school section of the building.

The program has had several teachers over the years, including Shane Corrigan, Amy Feese, Emma Gownley, Colin Heitzman and CJ Reichard.

Gownley explained the program’s impact on the school.

“Biomed is so special because we are like a big family. The students work so hard, but we go through it together. It also exposes students to different careers in medicine.”

The Biomed program is the only program of its kind within a 60-mile radius and has attracted students from areas as far away as Mifflinburg.

When students select courses for the upcoming school year, they can choose to participate in the Biomed program or take courses in areas such as music, art and career preparation.

For the 2026-27 school year, 59% of students are enrolled in the program.

For more information about the program, contact Jessica Trell, director of admissions, at admissions@lourdesregional.org.

Margo Yablonski is a junior at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School.

Edited by Brian M. Christiana, director of media and communications.