Students get hands-on experience at Health Academy
As health care providers face a nationwide shortage of nurses, doctors and other professionals, Avera St. Luke’s is looking for tomorrow's caregivers in today's high school classrooms.
For area students attending the sixth annual Health Academy in Aberdeen, it proved to be an eye-opening encounter to see what goes on in a hospital and to find out about job opportunities in health care. From working with Avera St. Luke’s therapists and nurses to seeing what happens in the Cath Lab, Kidney Dialysis, Surgery or the Emergency Department, the students get a close-up look at what they might do if they pursue a career in health care.
“This program opened up a lot of the different options that there are in the medical field,” said Katelyn Robbennolt of Gettysburg. “There are so many jobs in the medical field that I never knew existed.”
Students split into small groups and get plenty of chances to ask questions and even do some hands-on work. During two separate sessions in June, three days each, they stay at Presentation College in Aberdeen and go to Avera St. Luke’s to meet with health care professionals and observe what they do.
The high school students were selected for the academy by their local hospitals through an application process that included sending in a grade transcript and writing a short essay. Students attending the Health Academy their high school and the medical facilities that sponsored them, are:
Avera St. Luke’s in Aberdeen: Sarah Yonkovich, Taylor Hermansen, Emily Aman, Allison Eisenbeisz, Bailey Meyer and Christiana Moslander, Aberdeen Central High School ; Kaitlyn Randall, Erica Grieben and Lauren Weaver, Aberdeen Roncalli High School ; Shandell Kennedy, Mari Mammenga, Codi Martin and Jessica Schiley, Webster High School ; Melody Ulrich, Hoven High School.
Bowdle Healthcare Center: Cristin Turner, Maleah Zambo, Bowdle High School; Stacy Schurr, Edmunds Central High School.
Eureka Community Health Services Avera: Meaghan Hoff, Jeffrey Mettler, Robyn Oster, Eureka High School.
Gettysburg Medical Center : Janae Logan, Carlie Soper, Katelyn Robbennolt, Gettysburg High School.
Hand County Memorial Hospital Avera in Miller: Tyson Brockel, Sunshine Bible Academy; Emily Jo Bronemann, Highmore High Schoool; Hannah Caffee, Miller High School.
Marshall County Healthcare Center Avera in Britton: Carmen Allcock, Betsy Beck, Alexi Beck, Britton-Hecla High School .
Mobridge Regional Hospital: Alexandra Chase, McIntosh High School; Marissa Mickelson, Pollock High School; Danielle Long, Becky Maher, Timber Lake High School.
Redfield Community Memorial Hospital : Kaylyn Gross, Hitchcock/Tulare High School.
