Michelle Vu, a rising senior at Collins Hill High School; Sylvester Lee, a rising senior at Peachtree Ridge High School: and Inara Tate, a rising sophomore at Lakeside High School; examine their “patient’s” vital signs. Photo provided.
As if in unison, “Ahhh!” could be heard emanating from a worktable in the PCOM Georgia Anatomy Lab as four Gwinnett high school students dissected sheep brains under the guidance of a PCOM Georgia faculty member. They had just learned that the “pons,” shaped like a peanut, is part of the brain stem. Other medical terms were being discussed and identified as Adwoa Aduonum, associate professor of physiology and neuroscience, advised them to act like surgeons and “cut with precision” as they examined the organ.
The Gwinnett students from high schools including Shiloh, North Gwinnett, Collins Hill and Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology were ensconced in an anatomy lesson during the Opportunities Academy, a weeklong experience on the campus of the Suwanee medical school. Eight PCOM Georgia students, in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and the Masters of Biomedical Sciences programs, served as mentors, while faculty members and invited guests shared their knowledge and experience.
Valerie E. Cadet, associate professor of microbiology and immunology, is the faculty adviser for the summer camp attended by 30 students. She also enjoyed teaching the students about Microbiology: “What’s Living on my Things?”
Other activities the students participated in included painting the heart, modeling the kidney, checking vital signs, life as a veterinarian, pathology as a career, becoming a pharmacist, an introduction to osteopathic medicine, and medical simulation.
The high schoolers also learned about applying to college, participated in a resume workshop, and heard from a nurse practitioner about the secrets of a fulfilled life.
A health professions student panel featuring professional students in the osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant studies and biomedical sciences program rounded out the activities. A graduation, where students received certificates and superlatives, followed the showcase of the week’s activities.
The high school students included a prospective reconstructive plastic surgeon who is part of the HOSA program at McClure Health Sciences High School. HOSA is a student-led organization with chapters across the globe, which promotes careers in the health professions.
A potential biomedical engineer who was one of PCOM Georgia’s first Future Healthcare Scholars attended the academy from Grayson High School, while a future nurse who said her eyes have been opened to a multitude of healthcare careers attended from Peachtree Ridge High School.
The camp is sponsored by Jackson Electric Membership Corporation and Hologic and is hosted by the PCOM Georgia Office of Diversity and Community Partnerships.
Darnae Parks, who directs the campus’ diversity office said, “The program allows high school students from underrepresented communities the opportunity to take a sneak peek at careers in the healthcare field. Some of the workshops allow them to take transferable skills like resume-building with them throughout their life journey.”
EMC Foundation directs $50,960 to Gwinnett charities
The Jackson EMC Foundation board of directors awarded a total of $98,460 in grants for organizations during its June meeting, including $50,960 to organizations serving Gwinnett County.
- $15,000 to Annandale Village, in Suwanee, a nonprofit community serving adults with developmental disabilities or traumatic brain injury, to provide funding for renovation supplies.
- $10,000 to Judy House, in Lawrenceville, for its transitional housing program, which provides resources, counseling and emergency housing for men released from corrective programs.
- $9,600 to Families 4 Families, a nonprofit agency that recruits, trains, and supports foster families serving all Jackson EMC counties, for the home study approval process.
- $9,360 to Joy Community Kitchen, to provide 12 months of meals for vulnerable seniors through the Duluth Cooperative.
- $7,000 to Rachel’s Gift, an organization providing specialized bereavement care for parents who have lost a child to miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death, for its pregnancy and infant loss grief support program in all Jackson EMC counties.
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