The University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Northern Illinois University, the National Center for Rural Health Professions and the Illinois AHEC Network have partnered to host a Rural Health Careers Camp for students from rural areas with budding interests in health careers. The camp, held this week, provided rural high school students with hands-on learning experience about different health professions. Students also received information about education and training, academic requirements, financial aid and campus life.
The faculty for the camp was comprised on health professions faculty, health professionals currently in practice, and health professions college students. The campers stayed in a dormitory on the NIU campus in DeKalb and participated in hands-on health labs, an accident simulation, a disease outbreak investigation and some recreational activities. Students were chosen based on their year in school, academic standing and rurality, as defined geographically by the residential address and USDA standards. For more information, contact Vicki Weidenbacher Hoper at 815.395.5854.