English class and Health Sciences are perhaps not the most organic pairing at first thought, but Mr. Collins and Ms. Cramer have created a hybrid learning experience that marries the two for the 2024-25 school year. Element 6, a class covering the fundamentals of patient care as well as multicultural literature, was created out of the idea that there is a thread that connects adept medical professionals and skilled writers. In this class, students are able to develop skills that are essential to patient care, but also essential to really good writing. The class focuses on cultivating the sixth element of excellent patient care: empathy.

When asked about his hopes for students in Element 6, Mr. Collins stated that he wants “students to take away the idea that as future medical practitioners, the compassion and empathy that they develop will not only benefit their practice but also elevate the care that their patients’ receive.” Collins and Cramer are eager to give E6 students more real-life exposure to compassionate medical organizations in the community and both are excited to see how the class unfolds.