Students in grades 9-12 enjoyed a week of healthcare learning opportunities during the Camp Med Summer Program.High school boys and girls smiling in front of Winston-Salem State University Sign.
Students explore healthcare field through annual Camp Med Summer Program
JEFFERSON, N.C. — Local high school students in grades 9-12 gained valuable insight into the healthcare field during Ashe Memorial Hospital’s annual Camp Med Summer Program June 17-21.
A record number of students from Ashe County High School, Ashe Early College and area home school programs participated in this year’s camp, which was designed to expose students to the various aspects of medicine and potential career opportunities available to them should they decide to pursue a career in healthcare.
Students were met with a week-long agenda that was packed full of learning opportunities in healthcare. Over the course of the week, students participated in
a variety of events and activities, including aquatic therapy, dissection of a fetal pig, basic CPR, suturing a wound and job shadowing opportunities, where they were exposed to a variety of clinical experiences, among other team building activities.
“My experience at Camp Med was amazing,” rising Ashe Early College freshman Macie Beard said. “I loved all of the activities that we did, and I learned so much. I am so grateful that Ashe Memorial selected me to take part and now I have a clear path of what I want to do in the future.”
Students also traveled to the Bowman Gray Center for Medical Education on the campus of Wake Forest University School of Medicine where they participated in a series of simulations at the Center for Experiential and Applied Learning (CEAL). Students had the opportunity to learn how to treat cardiac arrests, deliver a baby and the skill of ultrasound through the use of Learning Space technology, simulators and training resources.
Additionally, students visited the Intergenerational Center for Arts & Wellness in Winston-Salem (one of only two such centers in the country) to experience their state-of-the-art physical therapy and occupational therapy services.
They also enjoyed visiting with Ashe Medics and learning more about our local emergency medicine services.
“Camp Med is wonderful opportunity to expose local students to the vast opportunities in the world of healthcare, said Angel Gouge, education manager for Ashe Memorial Hospital. “Our Camp Med Summer Program at Ashe Memorial Hospital allows students to begin to discover if this is the career path for them. These students get some well-rounded exposure to all avenues of healthcare, including how to care for patients with compassion and purpose.
“We often have students who enjoy their experience so much that they return summer after summer through their high school years, and we have seen many go on to college in pursuit of a healthcare career because of the experiences they got from Camp Med,” Gouge added. “We couldn’t be prouder of our local young generation as they forge their paths in healthcare.”
Through the Camp Med Summer Program, students are able to engage in discussions, gain valuable knowledge and skills and network with healthcare professionals in the hopes of discovering whether or not they may want to pursue a career in the healthcare field in the future.
The Camp Med Summer Program is an annual weeklong experience provided by the Northwest Area Health Education Center (AHEC), a program of Wake Forest School of Medicine and part of the NC AHEC System. The camp is open to all high school students and is designed particularly for those who have an interest in a career in the health sciences.
About Ashe Memorial Hospital
For more than 80 years, Ashe Memorial Hospital’s dedicated team of board certified physicians, nurses and staff members have provided the highest quality medical care available to the people of Ashe County and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. Ashe Memorial Hospital offers a wide variety of emergency, elective, rehabilitation and preventative health services.
Founded in 1941, Ashe Memorial Hospital is a fully accredited 25 bed critical hospital located in Jefferson, N.C. For more information, please visit ashememorial.org or call 336-846-7101.
