Camp YEHS students learn something at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center hospital helipad.
Sixteen middle school students from the Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point areas participated in a free School of Health Sciences summer program aimed at boosting the number of people of color and males entering health science careers.
WSSU’s Youth Exploring Health Sciences (Camp YEHS!) Summer Camp is a two-week enrichment program for rising ninth-grade students from underrepresented populations. It is designed to educate, prepare and enhance their academic qualifications for careers in nursing and the health science professions. The program included a two-week residency on campus at WSSU and an opportunity to shadow a health care professional in the community. The program also included guided career facilitation sessions and a post-mentorship experience. The free program, sponsored by a North Carolina Glaxo Smith Kline Foundation grant, ran from July 14 through July 23.
“This program is specifically for those unrepresented students who would not otherwise have an opportunity for direct exposure to health care careers and ways to pursue the profession,” said Marina A. Skinner, director of the program. “We selected 16 outstanding students for this second year of the program at WSSU.”
The objectives of the program are: to address the shortage of ethnic minorities and males in health sciences careers; expose participating students to nursing and other health science professions; provide hands-on activities for further enrichment, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid, disaster preparedness and research related to health issues; provide clinical simulation experiences and use clinical skills in the hospital, public health, nursing home or other health care settings; help student participants with critical thinking and life study skills; and encourage educational decisions which include studies in nursing or other health sciences careers.
Campers take a photo of a classmate made up to look like a victim in a mock disaster drill.
Another major goal is to increase parent engagement and enhance their competency and participation in helping students prepare for college studies in nursing or other health science fields.
“We believe programs like these will make a real difference in tomorrow’s numbers of health care professionals from underrepresented groups and in the overall delivery of health care,” Skinner said.
The students were: Daijah L. Walker of Rural Hall; Joynese A. Speller and Y-Yosaih Buonkrong, of Greensboro; Ladesia Smith, High Point; Makeda C. Harris, Kernersville; Alexus R. Acree, Clemmons and Tamyka G. Darden, Pfafftown. From Winston-Salem are: Nadia J. Frederick, Aja L. Grant, Burrell H. Young, III, Charity Neely, Ashad Stanback, Aisa Allen, Jasmine Durham, Lisa Hauser, Yasmeen Grant, Ayu Fatma and Alexxes D. George. Their ethnic backgrounds ranged from African-American, Vietnamese to multi-racial (African American, Native American, and Japanese) and Indonesian.
Program officials say during the past year, students with medical conditions have shown interest in the camp and desire to become healthcare professionals.
Campers are introduced to the State Medical Assistance Team.
The students visited the Hi-Fidelity WSSU/Baptist Simulation Lab, where they had the opportunity to take vital signs, listen to heart and lung sounds, and other activities using adult and infant simulators. Medical procedures were electronically monitored and the simulators indicated appropriate human responses. They were given CPR and First Aid Certification. They visited Forsyth Hospital for shadowing experience and simulation labs. Students shadowed nurses in an array of areas such as the emergency room, neonatal and more.
In addition, students toured a medical air transport helicopter at N.C. Baptist Hospital’s AirCare and observed surgery using the DiVinci robot. They also practiced suturing and worked with simulators. They also participated in a mock disaster drill at State Medical Assistance Team (SMAT) Headquarters in Lexington, N.C.
