 |
| Anna Walls, director of SCC’s occupational therapy assistant program, talks to Cherokee Central Schools on June 8 at Southwestern’s Jackson Campus in Sylva. |
Thirty middle and rising high school students from Cherokee Central Schools learned about the wide variety of health sciences career possibilities earlier this summer by exploring Southwestern Community College.
Throughout June 8, students toured the facilities in SCC’s Balsam Center, interacted with faculty and participated in hands-on learning activities such as using an ultrasound machine, lifting patients on bed sheets and doing occupational therapy excercises.
The students were all participants in a Cherokee Central summer camp called “Summer Medical Mania,” where they had the opportunity to tour medical programs at colleges and universities in Western North Carolina and Tennessee.
Amanda Allen, administrative assistant of Health Sciences, explained to the students that there is something for everyone in the medical field.
“There are several fields in the medical profession such as human services and substance abuse technologies, health information technology, sonography and occupational therapy where you have the chance to help people with their health without having to deal with all the blood and guts,” she said. “There are careers available in the medical field that are well-suited to people with a wide variety of interests.”
Allen and the health sciences faculty that worked with the students that day were grateful for the experience.
"We had a wonderful time sharing our programs with the students from Cherokee Middle School. Our faculty and students enjoyed sharing their knowledge and skills, and the kids were so intrigued by all of the exciting opportunities for local medical careers. I think they all left wanting to know more about a program and how they could pursue a career,” Allen said.
“Summer Medical Mania” was made possible by a grant from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, which supports research and education in biomedical sciences. Erin McManus, a teacher at both SCC and Cherokee Central, was instrumental in obtaining the grant.
SCC’s Health Sciences division offers courses in sixteen different fields, with a wide variety of degree, diploma and certificate opportunities that can lead directly to careers or serve as pathways to further education.
For more information about SCC and its programs, visit www.southwesterncc.edu
or call 828.339.4000.
