Alissa Mosley-Brittingham, a senior at Cheltenham High School who is also enrolled in the Allied Health program at the Eastern Center for Arts and Technology in Willow Grove, has been featured in a Student Spotlight.

Mosley-Brittingham recently secured a spot in the prestigious Perry Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania, which is intended to inspire young women to be leaders in Orthopedic Surgery and Engineering by partnering with medical centers, universities, and high schools nationwide.

From the Spotlight:

On Saturday, March 16, 2024, Alissa and a classmate from EASTERN’s Allied Health program embarked on an exhilarating adventure at the Perry Outreach Program. This exclusive, one-day event offers hands-on surgery modules and invaluable mentorship from pioneering women surgeons and engineers. A mere 40 students are selected to partake in this extraordinary opportunity. For Alissa, the highlight of the day was the chance to wield surgical tools. “It felt like stepping into the shoes of a construction worker,” Alissa exclaimed. “We operated drills and saws, and sutured on a part of a pig. The saw was used to cut into bone, and drills are used in surgery to put screws in joints and plates in fractures. The entire experience was nothing short of captivating!”

This eye-opening experience has significantly influenced Alissa’s healthcare career aspirations. While she has always been drawn to the healthcare field, the Perry Outreach Program has sparked a keen interest in becoming an Orthopedic Surgeon. “I believe Orthopedic Surgery is a male-dominated field because of the misconception that women are not capable or willing to use tools, as that is seen as more of a masculine task,” said Alissa. “I truly appreciated the opportunity to be part of this event, which encourages young women to take a closer look at this field.”

Alissa finds inspiration in her mother, who is in school now to become a nurse. “My mom was able to help me with my Medical Terminology homework,” Alissa shared enthusiastically. “We’re big fans of Grey’s Anatomy and often watch it together. It was fascinating when she practiced her nursing skills, like taking blood pressure, on me. Her dedication and passion for nursing is remarkable. She is always doing homework.”

At Cheltenham High School, Alissa is a member of the Spanish National Honor Society, where she serves as a tutor for students in lower-level Spanish classes. She firmly believes that being bilingual will greatly benefit her future career in healthcare. Currently, Alissa is narrowing down her college plans for next year. Through her Allied Health program, she will graduate with six transferrable college credits through EASTERN’s dual credit partnership with Montgomery County Community College.

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Photo: Eastern