Local student attends Health Career Camp

Eighty high school students from across the state gathered at Dixie State University June 18-20, 2018, to attend the Southern Utah Area Health Education Center (AHEC) annual Health Career Exploration Camp. This event was event aimed at exposing these students to the diverse options for careers in the ever-growing field of health care.
Students who attended ranged from incoming freshmen to recent high school graduates.
Several of these students were able to attend thanks to the gracious sponsorship of local school districts, hospitals, and Educational Talent Searches.
Local student Aubree Justice with Emery HIgh School was a participant in this year’s camp.
During the three-day event, students attended several hands-on workshops presented by a variety of community partners including Dixie State University (Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Surgical Technology, Physical Therapy Assisting, Respiratory Therapy, Emergency Medical Services, Medical Laboratory Science, Health Education, and Athletic Training), the University of Utah (Physician Assistant, Medical, Public Health, and Pharmacy), Washington County School District (Physical Therapy), and Red Hills Animal Hospital (Veterinary).
The camp also included team building activities, a healthcare quiz bowl, a trip to the Washington County Recreation Center, and a special keynote speech from Dr. Eliezer Bermudez, the Dean of Dixie State University’s College of Health Science.
A group of current Rural Health Scholars students from Dixie State University and Southern Utah University led the participants during the camp as counselors.
“This event is something our staff looks forward to every year,” stated Kasey Shakespear, Program Coordinator at Southern Utah AHEC.
“It is an opportunity to bring together so many wonderful partners throughout the state to benefit the youth of Utah, and to learn more about the ever-changing field of health care.
“It’s always a fun and engaging event, full of energy and excitement,” said Shakespear.
Mariah Richins, a senior at Dixie State University and member of Rural Health Scholars, participated as a counselor. Mariah attended the camp when she was in high school, and is now in the process of applying to medical school. Mariah reflected that “Health Camp is a valuable experience because it exposes students to different career options and prepares them to make decisions as they enter college.” Mariah continued, “It is great to see the students grow throughout the week and consider new pathways and career options within health care.”
Following the three-day camp, twenty-nine students remained to attend the first ever extended camp, “A Day in the Life of a Medical Student,” which was co-hosted by Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
During the additional day students took part in discussions about osteopathic medicine, a campus tour, a manipulative medicine demonstration, an anatomy activity, an ultrasound activity, and a discussion on the path to medical school. Rocky Vista University was an amazing host for this activity, and their hospitality certainly made an impression on these young aspiring physicians.
Southern Utah AHEC would like to thank all those who participated, especially the participants and Dixie State University whose staff and facility is what makes such an amazing event possible.
The Southern Utah AHEC office anticipates holding both the Health Career Exploration Camp and the extended camp at Rocky Vista University in 2019.
For more information about the camp, please contact Kasey Shakespear at Kasey.shakespear@dixie.edu or at (435) 897-4362.