Thursday, July 28, 2011

High School Students Visit Medical School During Summer Scrubs Program

Ben Motz (above right), a medical student at the USA College of Medicine, works with high school students participating in Mobile's Summer Scrubs program.

The program, sponsored by the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, allows high school students to visit the medical school and other health care sites in Mobile and Baldwin County.

According to Dr. Cindy Stanfield, director of the health pre-professional program at USA, about 200 high school students are selected into the program each year. “Through the Summer Scrubs program, students have the opportunity to see first-hand what the health care profession involves.”

Dr. Stephen Kayes, professor of cell biology and neuroscience at the USA College of Medicine, said it is important for high school students to be involved in the Summer Scrubs program because it allows them to learn about health careers early. “They are able to make decisions early on about coursework that will prepare them for their transition into the health care field.”

While the high school students were visiting the medical school during the four-day program, Dr. Kayes led activities in the anatomical lab, giving students a close-up look at both healthy and unhealthy tissues and organs. In addition, USA College of Medicine administrators talked with students about career options, and USA medical students presented scientific lectures for the teens.


Dr. Kayes (right) talks with students during the event.