High School Students Sample Careers in Medicine
at Providence Portland Medical Center
Jan. 19, 2006
PORTLAND, Ore. - High school students from The Dalles and Hood River traded a day of books and desks for fetal heart monitors and casts at Providence Portland Medical Center in Portland. All 32 teenagers either have an interest in medical careers or are in science and health related coursework at school.
Providence Portland Medical Center hosted the health career exploration day free of charge to the schools. The students were able to attend with transportation funded through an Office of Community Colleges and Workforce Development grant from the state.
“We have a huge shortage of health care workers in the nation, especially in rural areas,” said Kayleen Warner, director of Region Nine Workforce Investment Board in The Dalles. “We also need more health care workers with bilingual abilities.”
Warner accompanied the students to the health career day. She noted many in the group speak English as a second language and will be the first in their families to attend college.
“This type of a health career forum is significant for these high school students,” added Suzanne Burd, Columbia Gorge Community College Adult Continuing Education coordinator, who also chaperoned the event. “They not only see what nurses and medical professionals do - they can feel their passion for their work. This will inspire the students to follow their own dreams.”
The Dalles Wahtonka High School junior Kayla Seabourn intends to become an oncological surgeon. “I have a lot of cancer in my family,” explained Seabourn. “I have spent so much time with my family in hospitals and with doctors that I want to be able to help others like we have been helped.”
Lora Grecia, a Hood River High School senior, was enthralled with the health career stations focusing on maternity. She cuddled a life-like doll, learned how tiny infants in distress are aided and examined a fetal heart monitor. “I am very interested in nursing,” Grecia said. “I definitely like being involved in the newborn care area - I like the idea of helping life begin.”
Students rotated through a number of stations featuring maternity, emergency and pharmaceutical professionals. The exploration day is part of Providence School Outreach Oregon, a program designed to educate students about health career options. Last year more than 2,200 elementary, middle and high school students benefited from the Providence program.
“We reach out to students in all grade levels to create the connection between what they are learning in school and where they can go with their future careers. We want to encourage students to see a future in health care,” said Julanne Sandoz, Providence Health System school outreach coordinator. “Providence considers these career exploration days a wonderful investment in the next generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, lab technicians and scientists.”
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Providence Portland Medical Center is part of Providence Health System, the state’s largest health system and second-largest private employer. Providence Portland is recognized for excellence in patient care and research in such areas as cancer, heart, orthopedics, women’s health, rehabilitation services and behavioral health, and was recently selected as a Top 100 Hospital for cardiovascular care. For more information, visit http://www.providence.org/oregon
Contact:
Jean Powell Marks
503-215-6200
jean.marks@providence.org
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