Geary Community Hospital recently launched a Medical Explorer program for high school students interested in the medical field. The program began at the hospital early January, 2016 and has been running strong with at least 20 students attending each session. Every other Wednesday evening a different department or specialty is featured with hands-on activities at the hospital.

 

“This is a wonderful pro­gram for high school stu­dents looking to go into the medical field,” said Joe Stratton, GCH Chief Executive Officer. “These stu­dents are given a special opportunity to see various aspects of the healthcare industry and it may also spark interest in something of which they were not aware.”

 

Dr. Tom Craig, of Internal Medicine, along with Nikki Davies, Director of Public Relations, teamed up to launch and lead the program and have created a curriculum for the five month class. “We coordinate with each subject matter expert per respective specialty area to ensure it is not only educational but fun for the students too,” said Dr. Tom Craig.

 

Classes have already included the cardiopulmonary department, radiology department, labo­ratory, emergency department and tying surgical knots with physicians. Hospital officials plan to hold the class next spring and may even consider offering it in the fall semes­ter. It isn’t limited to kids from Junction City High School — kids from the sur­rounding area are also invit­ed to sign up.

 

“The medical field is a growing industry and though it is constantly evolving it is one that will never go away,” said Stratton. “If we can use this program as a tool to grow our own, then we are making great strides in the prevention of  ‘brain drain’ not only in the Flint Hills region but the state of Kansas as well.”

 

The class will run through the end of May, 2016. Students can still sign up by contacting Nikki Davies at ndavies@gchks.org or 785-210-3307.