Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine Students Inspire the Next Generation of Healthcare Professionals with Hands-On Ultrasound Workshop
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM) Holds Workshop for High School Students
- AZ - Glendale
ACOM students teach high school students about ultrasound in relation to the heart.
On June 14th, a group of Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM) students volunteered to instruct 43 eager high school students on how to use an ultrasound machine to find the valves on a heart. These visiting students are getting a head start in their college careers by participating in Med-Start, a six-week summer program through the University of Arizona that exposes students to the possibilities of a career in healthcare.
The workshop was organized and supervised by Layla Al-Nakkash, Ph.D., Professor & Chair, Physiology, College of Graduate Studies - and the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, and led by the second-year AZCOM students. The younger students split up into small groups and listened and watched as two AZCOM students demonstrated how to use the machine - and how the anatomy of the heart functions. They also discussed the importance of the ultrasound tool in healthcare settings and the many ways it can be used to treat patients.
After the demonstration, the Med-Start students donned their own gloves and got to try their hand at using the machine. For many, this was the first time they got to participate in a hands-on healthcare workshop. As they practiced their ultrasound skills, the students also connected with the AZCOM students and asked them questions about how they chose their field of study, how to enhance their college applications, and how to prepare for professional school.
In addition to Ultrasound, other activities during the day included dental simulation, nurse anesthesia lab, and suturing and other podiatric medicine skills.
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine faculty and students continue to demonstrate their commitment to inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals by sharing their passion with high school students. AZCOM also participates in many other high school outreach programs that Midwestern University hosts, including the Arizona Regional Brain Bee, the Health Sciences Career Day, and the Health Careers Institute for High School Students. Each program is designed to give students a clear picture of the many opportunities that await them in the diverse field of healthcare.
