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Health Careers Pathway Initiative

Health Careers Pathway Initiative

Learn about health careers including: doctor, nurse, medical researcher and pharmacist

 

Thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, a variety of opportunities for students to learn about health careers are available through the UIC Health Sciences Campus–Rockford (UICHSC-R).

Activities include:

 

CLASSROOM LEARNING EXPERIENCES

We are now offering in-classroom learning experiences. Each session is two hours in length and consists of a one-hour, hands-on activity and a one-hour panel discussion with our health professions students. UICHSC-R students, staff and faculty will come to the high school to conduct panel discussions and the hands-on activities. Sessions are available to high schools located in Winnebago County at no cost.  Contact Dr. Sam Pope at spope42@uic.edu to inquire about scheduling a session at your high school.

HANDS-ON ACTIVITY

Students will participate in a live, instructional, hands-on, medically related activity. Kits containing the needed materials and supplies will be provided to students the day of the event. There is no cost for students to participate. One of three different hands-on activity sessions will be offered:

  • Start an IV – College of Nursing:  Students will learn how to start an intravenous (IV) line on a manikin arm with the aid of a learning kit.
  • COVID-19 ANTIGEN TESTING:  Participants will learn how the COVID-19 antigen test works and then perform their own test.
  • Hold it Together (suturing) – College of Medicine: Medical students will demonstrate and assist participants in learning how to suture a wound using a common surgical knot with a suture practice kit.

HEALTH PROFESSIONS STUDENT PANEL DISCUSSIONS

Panel discussions include UICHSC-R health professions students who will share why they choose a career in the health professions, what it is like to be a health professions student, and what high school students can do now to prepare for a future career in the health professions. High school students will then introduce themselves and ask questions. A UICHSC-R faculty/staff person will serve as moderator.

For more information, contact Vicki Weidenbacher-Hoper at (815) 395-5669 or vweide1@uic.edu.

For additional opportunities to explore careers in the health professions, please visit the Illinois Area Health Education Center Network’s web site at:  https://ilahec.uic.edu/