Special to IFN
Iredell County’s next generation of healthcare workers recently got a chance to explore the healthcare industry through hands-on learning experiences at Iredell Memorial Hospital. On June 26, Iredell Health System welcomed Iredell-Statesville Schools students to the hospital for its annual week-long Camp Med program.
The sophomore, junior, and senior students from North Iredell High School, Agriculture and Science Early College, Statesville High School, Collaborative College for Technology and Leadership, Crossroads Early College, and West Iredell High School had to complete an application process and meet specific requirements to attend the camp.
From the pool of applicants, 16 students were selected to spend five days at Camp Med. Donning official white coats and badges, participants were given an opportunity to explore the different avenues of healthcare. During the week, the teens toured and interacted with several clinical departments at Iredell Memorial Hospital, including Endoscopy, Dialysis, Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab, Radiology, and The Birth Place. Leadership from Community Relations and Quality and Clinical Outcomes also shared information with students.
On Thursday, the group traveled to Winston-Salem for an extensive tour of Wake Forest School of Medicine.
Camp Med, sponsored by Northwest AHEC and Wake Forest School of Medicine, is an invaluable opportunity for the next generation to learn about the different career paths in healthcare.
“I truly enjoy working with students,” said Angela Whicker, education specialist at Iredell Health System. “Camp Med allows students to explore healthcare careers and receive valuable information that ultimately prepares them for the future. Every day is an adventure for them that is waiting to be discovered.”
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 and only 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.