The Duke AHEC Program Office hosts 25 high school students twice a month at Duke as part of their AHEC Scholars Program, one of Duke Medicine’s key pipeline activities that aim to expose young people to a range of healthcare career options. The current 25 Scholars are 9th and 10th grade students from the City of Medicine Academy, a partner with NC New Schools, who were invited to participate in the year-long after-school program.

At a recent meeting, the 9th grade students learned about careers in the OR. A Duke RN, Jennifer Ferrell, volunteered her time to discuss the various health care providers who work in the OR. Throughout the presentation and hands-on demonstration, the students were engaged and attentive as Ms. Ferrell demonstrated the sterile processes, like covering their hair and shoes as well as washing their hands. The students loved the demonstration of how to dress in the gown, while keeping the gown sterile. In addition to learning about the role of surgical nurses in the OR, the students learned about the education and training required to become a nurse.

The 10th grade students spent the afternoon with Katherine Becker, RN, MSN, OCN, Nurse Manager of the Oncology Treatment Center, and Cheryl Morgan Maxey, Research Coordinator I in the Duke Cancer Institute. The group was divided into two small groups for their trip throughout the Institute following the path of a standard care patient or a research patient, which allowed them to meet many other healthcare providers along the way.

On their next meeting at Duke, the AHEC Scholars will visit Interventional Radiology, the Hyperbaric Chamber, and the Cardiac Diagnostic Unit. They will learn about the technology used in these areas as well as learn about the various careers involved in the care of patients.

Reprinted with permission from Inside Duke Medicine.