Special to IFN
Eight students from Boys & Girls Club of the Piedmont enjoyed a MedStem Camp hosted by Iredell Health System throughout the month of July, giving them insight into the array of healthcare careers available to them.
Students learned about nearly every area of the hospital including cardiopulmonary rehab, the emergency department, maintenance, biomedical engineering, radiation therapy and skilled nursing. They heard from multiple staff members and enjoyed interesting activities and games. This gave the students a hands-on learning experience. The endoscopy staff led them through an activity using a scope.
Other activities included an ambulance tour, checking out the helicopter pad, suiting up for an operating room tour, and taking a peek of the morgue. Each activity was met with excitement and wonder from the students.
“My favorite department was endoscopy as we got to participate a hands-on activity,” shared participant Blake Sabatino.
“I was really interested in the operating room and learning about the different surgical equipment,” added Rishidharan Jayakumar. “My goal is to become a neurosurgeon.”
Isabella Cuesta, whose goal is to one day become a nurse or nurse practitioner, was interested in the surgical department as well.
“It was fascinating how they work as a team in the operating room. I loved getting to see a surgery in action!” she said.
Iredell Health System staff were thrilled about the chance to share their careers with the students.
“I love working with students,” shared Angela Whicker, education specialist. “Med Stem Camp is filled with adventures waiting to be discovered.”
Whicker knows the importance of hands-on learning when deciding a career path, especially for high school students.
“The students receive valuable information through hands-on learning that prepares them for the future.”
Participants
Aditi Senthil Prasad
Sharini Sadhu
Pearl Seals
Blake Sabatino
Isabella Cuesta
Udayan Satapathy
Rishidharan Jayakumar
Sandrea Richards
About Iredell Health System
Iredell Health System includes Iredell Memorial Hospital; Iredell Davis Medical Center; Iredell Davis Behavioral Health Hospital; Iredell Mooresville; Iredell Home Health; Iredell Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center; Community and Corporate Wellness; Occupational Medicine; the Iredell Physician Network and more. Iredell Memorial Hospital is the largest nonprofit hospital in Iredell County. The comprehensive healthcare organization has 391 licensed beds; more than 2,000 employees; and has approximately 365 healthcare providers representing various specialties. Centers of excellence include Women’s and Children’s; Cardiovascular; Cancer; Surgical Services and Wellness & Prevention. The health system’s Iredell Mooresville campus is home to the area’s only 24-hour urgent care facility, as well as an ambulatory surgery center, imaging center, rehabilitation services, and physician practices. The mission of Iredell Health System is to inspire wellbeing. For a comprehensive list of services and programs, visit www.iredellhealth.org.