Medical Magnet Program

Students in the Medical Magnet Program will pursue rigorous academic courses in three distinct strands, Pre-Medicine, Allied Medical Sciences and Sports Medicine. The three strands prepare successful completers for further educational or career opportunities within the medical field.

Meet our Team

Erin Cernuda Assistant Principal ecernuda@dadeschools.net

Graduated with honors from Barry University with a bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training. She then continued her education and earned a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Ms. Cernuda worked in the field of athletic training for ten years prior to becoming a teacher. In 2016, Ms. Cernuda was named the “Gatorade Secondary Schools Athletic Trainer of the Year” and a finalist in the Strength and Conditioning Magazine “Athletic Training MVP” award. The following year she was named the Miami Dade County Public Schools Support Staff member of the year for the district. In the 2018-2019 school year she was named the Miami Sunset Senior High School Rookie Teacher of the Year.

Maria Vega-Rivero Magnet Lead Teacher 342173@dadeschools.net

Mrs. Vega-Rivero is a former Miami Sunset High school student and has worked in the medical field for over 12 years.  She has worked in several capacities over the years, primarily as a registered medical assistant-specializing in phlebotomy, and as a certified BLS instructor through AHA.  She has experience in both hospital settings and private medical practice settings.  Mrs. Vega’s goal is to prepare students to kick-start their medical careers and ensure a successful future in the health care field-all while putting patient care and needs as their number one priority.

Academy Completions Guidelines

Students Applying To Enter A Magnet Program Must Qualify According To The District Wide Standards:

• 2.0 GPA or above in all core classes
• All core academic effort must be a “2” or “1”
• Students must not have excessive unexcused absences
• Students must demonstrate model student behavior at all times

Medical Magnet Program Strands

PRE-MEDICINE

The Pre-Medicine strand prepares students for coursework at the postsecondary level and establishes a strong foundation for future medical school students with project-based learning methods and a variety of laboratory techniques.

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ALLIED MEDICAL SCIENCES

The Allied Medical Sciences strand allows students to pursue interest in various allied health careers through the National Academy Foundation (NAF) Academy of Health Sciences (AOHS) curriculum. The AOHS curriculum engages students through a series of career exploration courses taken throughout their high school experience. All courses use project-based learning techniques with an emphasis on strengthening literacy, project management, leadership, and team building skills while fostering creativity and innovation.

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SPORTS MEDICINE

The Sports Medicine strand provides students with laboratory and real world field experiences through school-site internships with Miami Sunset’s athletic teams. The three strands prepare successful completer for further educational or career opportunities.

Medical Magnet Program Dress Code