Fifty ninth and tenth grade students from 6 counties in the Southwest PA AHEC region participated in
the sixth annual one-week Southwest PA AHEC Summer Health Career Academy from July 13 through July 17, 2009. The Academy is recognized as a Regional Summer School of Excellence by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Students who are certified as gifted or talented and who have an interest in health careers were eligible for participation through a competitive application process. Students from Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties participated. Bus transportation was provided for students from outlying counties.
Pictures from the 2009 Academy
"Thank you for an amazing week."
Career Academy Participant
The Academy consisted of hands-on clinical experiences, as well as information sessions, health policy debates and health career research. The curriculum included:
The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, under the Direction of Stephanie Gonzalez, MD, arranged a full-day of hands-on activities related to medicine and public health. Under the supervision of medical students, medical residents and faculty, Academy participants received hands-on experience in various medical techniques at seven learning stations:
Intubating a “patient” with a tracheal tube;
Examining ears with an otoscope;
Learning to read X-rays;
Examining eyes;
The Heimlich maneuver with “Choking Charley”;
Simulation man—a state of the art computer-assisted teaching aid that can simulate various medical conditions
Neurologic examinations
In the afternoon, students participated in a tabletop public health bioterrorism disaster scenario, in which they assumed various roles such as physician, county health department, mayor, police chief, school nurse, CEO, etc. and responded to an unfolding public health emergency.
Faculty and students from the Duquesne College Physician Assistant Program, under the direction of Mark Freeman, PA-C, discussed the role and scope of practice of a physician assistant, as well as demonstrated techniques for taking blood pressure, suturing, injections and testing reflexes.
At the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Deb Studen-Pavlovich arranged for students to learn hands-on techniques for placing dental sealants from dental students and faculty, in addition to learning about careers in dentistry.
Students took a field trip to the Wiser Simulation Center that utilizes the latest state-of-the-art technology to teach clinical and diagnostic skills to health professions students, as well as practicing health professionals. They also visited Stat MediVac
Students also had hands-on exploration of occupational therapy, athletic training and physical therapy; exposure to careers in nursing and dietetics; presentation on cultural competency; and participation in debates on current health policy topics.
Throughout the week, students also worked in small groups to research health careers and create a health career presentation. These presentations were provided for parents and family members on the final afternoon of the program which concluded with a student recognition ceremony.
