Midwestern University’s HCI: Inspiring Future Healthcare Professionals

Midwestern University’s Downers Grove Campus recently hosted an inspiring initiative designed to introduce local high school students to the diverse and dynamic world of healthcare professions. The Health Careers Institute (HCI) provided these young minds with an immersive week-long program packed with hands-on experiences and valuable mentorship. Throughout the program, students were empowered and guided toward making informed decisions about their futures in healthcare. Over the course of a week, they attended a variety of sessions that gave them a realistic preview of numerous medical careers, from osteopathic medicine and dentistry to physical therapy and physician assistance. Midwestern University’s student mentors and faculty members played a significant role in enriching the learning experience, offering firsthand insights and personalized guidance. This initiative stands out for its comprehensive approach, combining both academic and practical elements to cultivate the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Experiential Learning: A Hands-On Approach

One of the central themes of the Health Careers Institute was its emphasis on experiential learning, wherein students engaged directly with practical tasks and real-world applications. High school students found these hands-on experiences to be not just informative but transformative, allowing them to grasp the practical elements of different medical professions. Ava Pritz, a senior at Joliet Catholic Academy, underscored the invaluable nature of these hands-on experiences. She particularly highlighted sessions on osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), which provided deep insights into both the practice itself and the educational journey required to become a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). Participants were also introduced to the OMM Scholar Program, which entails an additional year of specialized study.

In dentistry-focused sessions, students could immerse themselves in practical exercises such as drilling and filling a tooth within a simulated environment, an essential skill for any aspiring dentist. They also had the chance to witness the creation of teeth molds in a state-of-the-art 3D printing lab and even assembled syringes used for anesthesia injections. These hands-on activities gave students a tangible understanding of what a career in dentistry would involve, augmenting their academic knowledge with real-world skills.

Diverse Healthcare Fields: Exploring Various Professions

The extensive range of healthcare fields covered at the Health Careers Institute significantly broadened the participants’ perspectives. In physical therapy sessions, for instance, students explored different practice settings and gained practical knowledge about pediatric physical therapy. They learned how to handle infants correctly using training dolls and practiced standardized motor skill assessments. This multifaceted approach allowed students to understand the versatility and specialization within the field.

Physician Assistant (PA) sessions further enriched the educational experience by integrating practical skills with theoretical knowledge. Students practiced listening for heart and lung sounds on manikins and took blood pressure readings. These exercises provided a comprehensive introduction to the roles and responsibilities of a Physician Assistant, highlighting the importance of both accuracy and empathy in patient care. Clinical Psychology sessions were equally engaging, involving students in personality tests and discussions about various career paths within the field, such as roles in both educational and healthcare settings.

Insights into Speech-Language Pathology provided another crucial layer of understanding. Through these sessions, students learned about the significant contributions Speech-Language Pathologists make in assisting patients with communication and swallowing issues. They also had the opportunity to tour an anatomy laboratory, where they examined human anatomical specimens firsthand, further anchoring their theoretical knowledge with real-world experience. The exposure extended to the pharmacy field, offering students insights into the career paths and educational requirements for earning a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

Mentorship and Guidance: Learning from the Experts

Mentorship was a cornerstone of the Health Careers Institute, significantly enhancing the educational experience. Student mentors at Midwestern University shared their journeys toward healthcare careers, providing high school participants with relatable and candid insights. Nick Kathrein, a student at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, expressed his passion for mentoring and emphasized the immense benefit for younger students to hear from those still navigating their academic paths. These interactions demystified the journey to becoming a healthcare professional, making it seem more achievable.

Dental students like Dami Adedeji found mentoring to be particularly rewarding. Adedeji reflected on how such a program could have boosted her confidence during her high school years, underscoring the program’s potential to instill self-belief in aspiring healthcare professionals. Similarly, dental student Diem Tran acknowledged the crucial role that mentors played in her own academic career. She expressed her motivation to give back through her involvement in HCI, aiming to inspire the next generation just as she had been inspired by her mentors.

High School Student Experiences: Personal Testimonials

The participatory nature of the Health Careers Institute left a profound impact on the high school students, many of whom shared enlightening testimonials about their experiences. Aaron Valyaneth, a graduate from Lemont High School, discovered a new interest in optometry after learning about its complexities during the sessions. This newfound interest opened up a potential career path that he had not previously considered. Such experiences underscore the importance of early exposure to various fields in helping young individuals make informed decisions about their futures.

Sofiya Iovenko, a senior at Lake Park High School, enthusiastically recounted her engagement with practical medical procedures like intubation and IV insertion. These skills, typically reserved for medical school training, offered her an early taste of what her future could hold. Such hands-on experiences not only confirmed her aspiration to become a dermatologist but also provided much-needed clarity and direction for her educational journey. These personal testimonials highlight the transformative power of practical, immersive learning experiences in shaping career decisions.

The Value of Early Exposure: Shaping Future Healthcare Professionals

Midwestern University’s Downers Grove Campus recently hosted an inspiring event aimed at introducing local high school students to the vast and exciting world of healthcare careers. The Health Careers Institute (HCI) offered these students an immersive, week-long program brimming with hands-on experiences and valuable mentorship. Throughout the week, students were encouraged and guided to make informed decisions about their future careers in healthcare. They participated in a variety of sessions that realistically showcased numerous medical professions, including osteopathic medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, and physician assistant roles. Midwestern University’s student mentors and faculty members were pivotal in enhancing the learning experience, providing firsthand insights and tailored guidance. This initiative is notable for its comprehensive approach, blending academic and practical elements to nurture the next wave of healthcare professionals. With the involvement of committed mentors and diverse activities, the program managed to captivate and inspire these young minds, sowing seeds for future success in the medical field.

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