DECEMBER 15, 2023

High school students from across Douglas County gathered for a full day of sampling a variety of careers in healthcare, in Jacoby Auditorium, Health Nursing and Science Center (HNSC), and the Tech Center, EMS program area. The day opened with a welcome message from Dr. Rachel Pokrandt, UCC president, and featured an inspirational keynote speaker, Christin Rutledge, Director Area Health Education Center Southwest from Aviva.

Students spent the morning and afternoon listening to healthcare industry professionals, viewing demonstrations, and taking part in hands-on activities which included areas such as Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Chemistry, Phlebotomy, Mortuary Science, Pharmacy, Ultrasound, EKG, EMS, Dental, Forensics, and Health Sciences.

After each session, students poured into the hallways of HNSC to speak with various representatives from UCC Resource Navigators, Central Oregon Community College, Thrive Umpqua, UCC STEAM Hub, Oregon State University Dual Partnership Program, UCC Medical Office Administration program, and UCC Medical Assistant Program.

“It’s so exciting to see the kids come out of the sessions. With their faces lit up and excited. The students talked about how much they learned,” said Sheryl Lehi, coordinator of the medical business office program. “While still in high school you can take courses in the allied health program at UCC, get a head start on a career path, or have the opportunity to change to another career that interests you.”

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The EMS department hosted a REACH helicopter landing, and students toured a new ambulance simulator inside the classroom, and practiced CPR.

Students try their hand at stitching sample wounds using suturing kits provided by Dr. Sulitzer, a third-year residency doctor at Aviva Health. Ultrasound results are displayed live on a tablet, demonstrated by Dr. Chandrasekaran, a third-year residency doctor at Aviva Health. Other highlights included hands-on activities from the nursing and dental programs.

After classroom sessions, students poured into the hallways of HNSC to speak with various representatives from UCC Resource Navigators, Central Oregon Community College, Thrive Umpqua, UCC STEAM Hub, Oregon State University Dual Partnership Program, UCC Medical Office Administration program, and UCC Medical Assistant Program.