HHS Medical Academy Pen Pal Program Launches with Support from Huntley Education Foundation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Huntley High School’s Medical Academy Pen Pal program is off to a strong start this year thanks to a grant from the Huntley Education Foundation. 

The Pen Pal program pairs HHS Medical Academy students with residents from the local community, most of whom reside in Huntley’s Sun City / Del Webb retirement community, through the art of handwritten letters. Through thoughtful correspondence, students develop essential communication skills while learning how meaningful connections can be built across generations. The grant removes any financial cost for students, providing them with stationery, envelopes and postage. 

The Pen Pal program began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when healthcare facilities were closed to student volunteers and opportunities to earn required service hours were limited. As healthcare professionals nationwide noted a growing lack of empathy among younger workers entering the field, Renae St. Clair, HHS Medical Academy coordinator, launched the program as a way for students to communicate and connect with others who may be different from them.

“The letters our students write go far beyond words on paper,” said St. Clair. “The Pen Pal program helps students learn empathy, active listening, and the importance of building personal connections—skills that are essential in healthcare.”

“Students today have grown up in a very technological world,” she said. “Sometimes that makes it harder to understand the importance of human connection in patient care. This program helps students look for similarities instead of differences and truly understand another person’s experiences.”

The impact of the program continues to grow. This year there are 41 Del Webb residents and students participating in the program, and three of those students and their pen pals are continuing their correspondence for a second year. In addition, a few pen pals remain in contact even after students graduate. These are lasting relationships that speak to the program’s success.

By strengthening relationships, improving communication skills, and fostering empathy, the Medical Academy Pen Pal program is helping to shape a more compassionate generation of future healthcare providers, one letter at a time.

“Our pen pals are making a difference,” St. Clair noted. “And we are incredibly grateful to the Huntley Education Foundation for making this opportunity possible for every participating student.”

“The Huntley Education Foundation is proud to support the Pen Pal program and the HHS Medical Academy students,” said Huntley Education Foundation president Anita Adam. “Ms. St. Clair has thoughtfully designed a curriculum that teaches students all aspects of healthcare, including vital and often overlooked lessons in empathy and bedside manner. Our students are very fortunate to have this meaningful opportunity, and the foundation is honored to support such an impactful program.” 

“The Pen Pals program has been a very special experience,” said Medical Academy student and junior Sienna Smith. “One of my favorite things about this program is that I was able to form a bond with my pen pal. We started writing to each other during my sophomore year, and we continued to email throughout the summer. This year, I was blessed with the opportunity to still write to my pen pal.” 

“I jumped at the chance to be a part of the Pen Pal program when it was first introduced,” said Del Webb resident and Pen Pal volunteer Mary Kozy, who has been with the program since its inception six years ago. “I saw it first as a way to give back to the community. I don’t have children and loved hearing about my pen pals and their dreams, ideas, food, music, sports, travel and just general life. Each pen pal has been a unique individual and I have enjoyed getting to know each one as the year progresses. They ask me questions about my life, school, jobs, family and sometimes even ask for advice. This makes me feel like I am contributing as a bit of a mentor.”