High schoolers explore health care careers through College of Medicine programs

A circle of students huddled close, eyes locked on a manikin patient’s airway as their instructor navigated a laryngoscope to visualize the vocal cords. A student carefully placed a breathing tube into the trachea. Next came a beat of silence, then a ripple of quiet cheers and smiles as the patient’s lungs inflated.

Scenes like this played out all summer at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, where various camps offered high school students hands-on exposure to the many possibilities within health care and medicine.

“These programs are important opportunities to inspire young minds, build confidence and help students see themselves in careers that serve and heal,” says Carol R. Bradford, MD, MS, FACS, dean of the Ohio State College of Medicine. “By opening these doors early, we can help shape individual futures while simultaneously strengthening the future of health care.”

MD Camp, a three-week intensive day camp where students practiced intubation on manikins, among other experiences, offered rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors a deep dive into the rigors of medical school. The camp is run completely by currently enrolled medical students in the College of Medicine.

Participants shadowed clinicians at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, learned clinical skills like suturing and tackled real-world cases through problem-based learning. They also heard from physicians and researchers about everything from medical ethics to health disparities.

Revell Cozzi, a second-year medical student and an MD Camp co-director, says pursuing medical school can be daunting, especially for those who don’t have physicians in their family.

“With MD camp, we aim to provide that mentorship for our campers, whether that’s in helping them decide their path in undergrad, or as they consider medical school in the future,” she says. “Exposing students to opportunities within medicine and health care at a younger age means they’re able to spend more time looking at all the potential opportunities they have, from medical school itself to medical specialties.”

For students curious about the brain and the rest of the nervous system, the Explorations in Neuroscience Summer Camp offered an inspiring introduction to the field of neuroscience. Bringing in 80 high school juniors and seniors from all over the country, the camp kicked off with a keynote address by Hoan Do, author of Creating Momentum in Your Life, and included 15 hands-on laboratory sessions, more than 10 research and clinical presentations and discussions with faculty and graduate students.

Students explored the brain and spinal cord in the anatomy lab and through virtual reality, and observed a deep brain stimulation surgery, among other highlights.

“Our neuroscience camp is a gateway into the incredible world of brain science,” says camp coordinator and department administrator Melissa Stenger. “It’s exciting to see students develop their scientific thinking and consider neuroscience in their future plans.”

Meanwhile, the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (HRS) hosted a three-day camp to introduce high school students to lesser-known but vital health care careers, like respiratory therapy, dietetics and medical laboratory sciences. Students had the opportunity to perform ultrasounds, develop nutrition plans, tour Ohio State athletic training facilities, practice splinting ankle sprains, and conduct plasma glucose tests, urinalyses and wound cultures, among other activities.

“I believe it raises awareness for students to the possibilities within the health sciences,” says Eva George, instructional development specialist and camp coordinator. “Many know about doctors and nurses, but maybe not as much about physical therapy, occupational therapy or sonography.”

George hopes students leave HRS camp with a well-rounded experience and meaningful connections to faculty and student ambassadors. “It’s critical that we expose young people to opportunities in health care so that we have future practitioners ready to meet the needs of patients,” she says.

Earlier in the year, Ohio State’s Human Anatomy Education Outreach Days offered yet another early exposure opportunity for high school students interested in health care. Hosted by the Division of Anatomy, the program brings students into the anatomy lab for immersive, hands-on learning experiences led by medical and graduate students. For many participants, the powerful experience of interacting with real anatomical specimens can spark lasting interest in science and medicine careers.

Whether students are drawn to the operating room, clinic or research lab, the College of Medicine’s high school programs are helping them take the first step, showing how a future in health care is within reach.