PRESS RELEASE: Questar III New Visions Medical Students Present Grand Rounds at C-GCC
On Friday, October 24, Questar III BOCES New Visions: Medical students showcased their growing medical knowledge and problem-solving skills through a Grand Rounds presentation for parents, professors, and staff from both Questar III BOCES and C-GCC.
The event mirrored the professional practice of Grand Rounds commonly used in hospitals and medical schools, in which healthcare teams present complex patient cases for discussion and analysis. New Visions students, while working in pairs, presented an assigned case study, and guided their audience through the entire diagnostic process from initial symptoms to final diagnosis.
Students began by reviewing patient histories and identifying key clinical information. As they interpreted test results and lab data, they applied critical thinking to rule out conditions and confirm a diagnosis, actively demonstrating the analytical reasoning used by practicing medical professionals. That exercise, while challenging, gives students the opportunity to build confidence, which will prove invaluable in their professional lives. Additionally, this systematic approach helps students adopt the mindset of a medical professional, while actively building teamwork and communication skills.
“Grand Rounds exemplify the kind of authentic, college-level learning that sets our New Visions programs apart,” said Questar III BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Gladys Cruz. “These projects help students gain confidence in their future medical studies while strengthening essential skills, including communication, collaboration, and critical thinking.”
The New Visions: Medical Program, offered through a collaboration with Questar III BOCES, Columbia Memorial Health (CMH) and Columbia-Greene Community College, gives high school seniors an immersive, yearlong experience exploring healthcare careers. These students are enrolled in Columbia-Greene Community College’s “College in the High School” (CIHS) program. Students take classes at C-GCC, shadow at CMH, and work with local programs to learn about the healthcare system. The students have hands-on learning experiences through professional interactions, job shadowing, and project-based work.
Participants earn high school credits through Questar III BOCES and college credits through Columbia-Greene’s CIHS program. The program provides an authentic college experience as students are on campus and are taught by C-GCC faculty. The experience not only strengthens academic and professional skills but also provides students with a competitive edge in college admissions and future healthcare pathways.
Partnering with Questar III BOCES and New Visions reflects Columbia-Greene’s ongoing commitment to workforce development and early college opportunities that prepare students for in-demand careers. By connecting high school students with real-world learning and college-level coursework, we continue to build a strong bridge between education and the evolving needs of the region’s healthcare industry.
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About Questar III BOCES
Questar III (www.questar.org), a Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), is an educational service agency providing instructional and support services to 22 public school districts in Rensselaer, Columbia and Greene counties. Questar III BOCES offers elementary, secondary and adult students choices and opportunities in education. Whether they are interested in exploring career and technical opportunities, seeking alternatives to the traditional classroom setting, or in need of support of physical, developmental or emotional disabilities, Questar III BOCES offers programs and services designed to help all students succeed.